Russia confirms delivery of submarine to Vietnam in November

Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted a press release from the Admiraltei Verfi shipyard saying that the first Kilo 636 submarine of six built for Vietnam will be officially handed over in November 2013.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited and inspected the Kilo 636 submarine named "Hanoi Submarine" of the Vietnam Navy during his visit to Russia in May 2013.
(Photo: Duc Tam - VNA)

“The plant is currently working on eliminating defects and preparations for the onshore acceptance testing unit are underway,” – RIA Novosti quoted the Admiraltei plant press release as saying.

According to the engineer in charge of the contract handover, Aleksandr Belyy, the sea acceptance testing part is scheduled for the end of September.

“In November, the preliminary protocol will be signed and the ship will be handed over to the base. The flag-raising ceremony for the submarine will take place in the country that ordered it,” – the press release of the Admiraltei Verfi shipyard quoted engineer Aleksandr Belyy.

Mr. Aleksandr Belyy emphasized that the onshore acceptance testing stage will take quite a long time. The plant's engineers will conduct tests on all systems and operating mechanisms of the submarine, and complete the painting work.

The first phase of the testing ended on 25 December 2012. The second phase, consisting of factory testing and no-load testing, took place from 16 April to 27 June 2013. In parallel, training included training of command specialists and submarine crew.

“From July 4 to 17, we have implemented and completely completed the national testing program,” Mr. Belyy emphasized.

“We have conducted more than 100 days of diving, all systems are working well,” said Mr. Aleksandr Belyy.

The contract for the supply of six Kilo 636-class submarines was announced by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in December 2009. The full implementation of the contract is scheduled for 2016. The first two submarines are expected to be delivered to Vietnam in 2013.

Not long ago, military experts quoted by Voice of Russia affirmed that they completely believe that the Vietnamese crew will be able to control these modern submarines to return home via Africa.

The 636 submarines built for the Vietnam Navy are of the third generation, with a displacement of 3,100 tons, a speed of 20 nautical miles/hour, a diving depth of 300 meters, and a crew of 52.

The ship is equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes, sea mines and Kalibr (Club) attack missiles. The submarines built for Vietnam are equipped with advanced reconnaissance systems, which can detect targets at a distance 3-4 times farther than the detection range of enemy ships.

Another significant strength of the Kilo class is its extremely low noise level, NATO military experts have nicknamed this class of submarines "black holes in the ocean"./.

According to Vietnam+- LT