Vietnam has succeeded in fully restoring the operation of the US-made LST-type landing craft that we acquired in 1975.
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| The article "Innovative application of science and technology to serve technical advisory work" published in the People's Army Online newspaper provided important details in the research program to improve and modernize technical equipment and weapons. Specifically, for the navy, the General Department of Engineering coordinated with relevant departments to successfully restore the LST landing ship. Photo source: Navy Television |
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| Although the designation was not clearly stated, based on the type of ship, it can be inferred that Vietnam had successfully restored the operation of the large tank landing ship class (Landing Ship, tank) which was the spoils of war that we captured in 1975. In total, we only captured two LSTs with the designation HQ-501 (we still kept this designation later) and HQ-503 (later changed to HQ-505). Photo source: Document |
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| With these two LST landing ships, the Vietnam People's Navy at that time significantly increased its strength. The features of the LST and other captured warships were highly promoted in the campaign to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge genocide. Photo source: Document |
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| Later, in the CQ-88 sovereignty protection campaign in 1988 in Truong Sa, the landing ship HQ-505 contributed to maintaining the sovereignty of Co Lin island. However, after CQ-88, HQ-505 was severely damaged by Chinese ships and could not be repaired. It sank on the way to the mainland to serve as a museum display ship. So up to now, perhaps we only have HQ-501. Photo source: Document |
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| With a ship built in 1944, after 70 years, of course its performance is no longer as good as it was at first. That is when Vietnamese intelligence comes into play. And as mentioned above, we have successfully restored the operation of the landing ship LST HQ-501. In the photo, HQ-501 participates in a sea landing exercise in 2016. Photo source: Navy Television |
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| Not only were we able to restore the ship's operations, we were also able to maintain the 40mm Bofor twin-barreled guns and even make ammunition. Photo source: Navy Television |
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| In the photo, the HQ-501 ship's gun fires to destroy a target at sea. Photo source: Navy Television |
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| Landing ship 501 has a full displacement of about 3,698 tons, is 100m long and 15m wide. The ship is equipped with 2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 22km/h. The ship is capable of carrying about 140 marines, 2 infantry landing boats (mounted along the side) and PT-76 tanks and BTR-60PB armored vehicles. Photo source: VnmilitaryHistory |
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| In addition, the ship's deck is also capable of carrying at least one helicopter. In the photo, the LST carries a UH-1 helicopter participating in the campaign to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge genocide. Photo source: VnmilitaryHistory |
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| The deck of LST HQ-501 is marked with a white circle – the helicopter landing spot. Currently, it can receive both Mi-8/17 and Ka-28. Photo source: Navy Television |
According to Kienthuc
