Vietnam is implementing a program to modernize Project 159 Petya submarine hunters so that these ships can continue to protect the country's sea and islands.
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The Project 159 Petya anti-submarine ship is one of the warships with the best anti-submarine capabilities of the Vietnam People's Navy today. At least 5 ships were provided by the Soviet Union since the 1980s. However, most of these ships were built using 1960s technology, so it is now considered incompatible with modern warfare. In addition, these ships have been in use for quite a long time, causing many of their equipment to deteriorate, affecting combat operations. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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Therefore, the need to modernize the Petya anti-submarine frigate is very urgent. And surprisingly, instead of ordering help from foreign partners, Vietnam is completely self-sufficient in upgrading and modernizing these anti-submarine ships. Specifically, according to the QĐND Online newspaper, in recent years, the General Staff of the Technical Department has been coordinating with the Navy to organize the improvement and modernization of Project 159AE Petya anti-submarine ships (Vietnam has 2 159AE ships and 3 159A ships, different in anti-submarine weapons). Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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However, details of the upgrade items were not announced. However, some images in the report about Brigade 171 (Navy Region 2) made by Vietnam National Defense Channel showed clear changes in equipment on Petya anti-submarine ships. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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Specifically, the appearance of modern radar displays on the anti-submarine frigate 159 Petya has been seen. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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Obviously, the color radar wave display type is more intuitive and vivid than the old radar wave display technology as shown in the photo. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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That means the 159AE submarine hunters have received a new type of radar and have been integrated by the Navy itself. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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In terms of firepower, the Project 159A/AE Petya frigates have so far only had artillery firepower to protect against close-range targets at sea and in the air. Specifically, the two Petya A/AE versions are both equipped with two 76.2mm AK-726 twin-barreled gun turrets. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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In addition, two of the five Petya A/AEs, due to a broken sonar (submarine detection system) in an accident, were converted into anti-aircraft artillery ships with the addition of 37mm twin-barreled V-11M guns and 25mm guns. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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In a modern war, anti-aircraft guns are not enough to protect ships from threats from the air. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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Therefore, it is likely that at least one or both Project 159AE ships have been upgraded to carry anti-aircraft missiles. In the photo, the anti-aircraft missile launcher on the Petya ship. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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Missile launcher operator is practicing capturing targets in the air. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
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In addition to these items, it is not yet clear whether Vietnam will upgrade its submarine detection sonar, but the 533mm torpedo array (on Project 159AE ships) will remain intact. Photo source: QPVN Channel |
According to Kienthuc.net.vn