Vietnam is building a modern navy
Traditionally, Vietnam was not a strong maritime power. This weakness has repeatedly negatively affected the national security of the country. During the Vietnam War, complete dominance of the sea allowed the United States to strike at the coast of North Vietnam and carry out the transfer of troops without any problems. At present, the Vietnamese Navy comprises 33,8 thousand people, including 1,7 thousand in the naval police. The fleet is consolidated in 4 naval areas, 9 brigades of surface ships, boats and auxiliary vessels, 2 brigades of the marine corps, 2 brigades of the coast guard, and a brigade of special forces. Armed with Vietnamese fleet mostly small ships still Soviet-built. The fleet of this state can be called a "mosquito". Recently, however, the country began to take active steps to reequip and equip it with new warships.
Prerequisites for creating a strong fleet
Currently, the region of Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing in the world. Already, we can say with confidence about the appearance of a new geopolitical knot on the world map. This is achieved due to the concentration in the region of resources, key lines of maritime communications, a population of 600 million people, as well as high conflict potential. Which, on the one hand, is determined by the presence of intrastate (political instability, unresolved interfaith and ethnic conflicts) and non-state (piracy, drug trafficking, international terrorism) threats, and on the other hand, confrontation of individual states (both regional and nonregional).
The decisive factor in regional policy in this region is a significant increase in the role of the World Ocean. The South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca largely provide economic growth in the region. And it is precisely at these points that most of the threats to international and national security fall. Sea lines of communications in Southeast Asia form the large role that non-regional powers have here, which include the United States, India and Japan. Therefore, it is not surprising that the states of the region “turned towards the sea” and increasingly pay attention to maritime policy.
In recent years, Vietnam has become one of the key countries in the region, which relies on maritime policy. For their national security and economic prosperity, this country with a population of 90 million needs the development of its maritime potential, and in particular the navy. Already, the development of the Vietnamese Navy is becoming an important factor in the "big game" that 3 leading giant countries - the USA, China and India are leading.
Back in 1999, the Vietnamese government made a statement about the beginning of a ten-year program for the development of the country's port infrastructure, which was only partially implemented. Despite this, Vietnam managed to find a strategic ally in the face of its old partner, India, which, starting from the 90s, has been actively developing the “East look” doctrine and is seeking to gain a foothold in the Southeast Asian region. At present, India, together with Vietnamese companies, is developing oil and gas fields in the South China Sea.
The strengthening of the economic and military-political ties between New Delhi and Hanoi led to even greater tension in Vietnam-China relations. Despite the fact that both countries adhere to the communist ideology, the PRC over the past decades remains the main threat to the national security of Vietnam. After the confrontation, which has more than 30 years, tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea (in Vietnam it is called the East Sea) grows. Vietnam’s growing discontent with China’s claims to most of the South China Sea, as well as to the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
In turn, India feels more confident in this region and is ready for the sake of cooperation with Vietnam to go for some aggravation of relations with the PRC. Another partner of Vietnam, primarily in the military sphere, remained the USSR for many years, and now it is Russia. Also in recent years, the United States has become a partner of the state in its opposition to Chinese ambitions in this region. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vietnam and the United States headed for overcoming the hostility that persisted between the two countries after the Vietnam War ended. In 2000, for the first time after the war, the United States Secretary of Defense visited Vietnam, and in 2010 and 2011, the two countries conducted joint naval exercises.
Navy construction
The Vietnamese leadership understands that the country is not able to enter into a full-fledged naval arms race with the PRC. However, taking into account the experience of previous military conflicts, in order to protect its national interests, Vietnam must have sufficient naval forces. That is why in the zero years of Hanoi headed for the construction of a modern and efficient coastal fleet. Its main partner in this project is Russia and to a lesser extent - India.
Today, Vietnam adheres to this approach, which involves the use of the fleet to protect the exclusive economic zone and the coastal territory of the state. Vietnam plans to achieve the possibility of inflicting sufficient damage to the enemy, but it does not strive to establish sea supremacy in the event of a conflict with China. It is believed that this will be enough to prevent the PRC from a policy of “fait accompli” and will become a rather important element of deterrence in Vietnamese-Chinese relations.
In addition to the possible confrontation with China, Vietnam is preparing its fleet to counter the irregular sea threats, which include piracy, drug trafficking, smuggling. And also to a possible conflict with any state of Southeast Asia, although this option seems unlikely.
In accordance with the tasks set, the Vietnamese Navy, which for a long time was only a “mosquito fleet”, is now focused on building modern light frigates and corvettes, creating a powerful submarine fleet, as well as small rocket-artillery boats and ships. The total amount of contracts concluded between Vietnam and Russia in the naval sphere exceeds 5 billion dollars.
The largest project that Vietnam implements in the field of naval construction is the purchase of 6 non-nuclear submarines (NNS) from Russia by the 636 Varshavyanka project in the Klio NATO terminology. The supply contract was concluded in the 2009 year. The first boat was laid in St. Petersburg at the Admiralty Shipyards in August 2010. The cost of this contract is estimated at 1,8 billion. In addition, Russia will also deal with the provision of construction in Vietnam of related infrastructure and a base for submarines, which is estimated back in 1,5-2,1 billion dollars. The first submarine should be transferred to Vietnam in the 2013 year, the last in the 2018 year.
Modern non-nuclear submarines of the Varshavyanka project for the Vietnamese Navy will be armed with the Club-S anti-ship missile systems. The hull of the boat is divided into 6 waterproof compartments, the autonomy of navigation - 45 days. The boat has a very low noise level at the level of natural ocean noise. Its lightweight body is covered with a thick anti-acoustic rubber coating. These boats are one of the most optimal options for naval equipment in terms of the “cost-effectiveness” criterion. If necessary, the Vietnamese Navy will be able to ensure the continuous presence of several submarines at sea, which in the event of a conflict will allow to challenge Chinese local supremacy at sea for a certain period of time.
The second important element in the updated Vietnamese fleet were the ships of the far sea zone - modern ships of the class heavy corvette / light frigate. In 2011, Russia handed over to 2 Vietnam a patrol ship of the 11661 project “Cheetah 3.9”, which were produced at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky. The contract for their construction worth 350 million dollars was concluded in 2006 year. After receiving the 2-x of the first "Cheetahs", Vietnam translated into a firm contract the previously concluded option for the construction of 2-x additional vessels of this class. They will have to differ from their predecessors by more powerful anti-submarine weapons.
The 11661 frigates of the project are designed to search, detect and destroy all types of targets (surface, underwater and air), both independently and as part of a battle group. Can solve patrol and convoy tasks. The upgraded ships "Cheetah" for the Vietnamese Navy built using technology "Stealth". Armed with the Palma-SU anti-aircraft complex with a new optical-electronic guidance system and the Uran-E anti-ship missiles - two quadruple launchers. Artillery weapons are represented by X-NUMX-mm AK-76M and two X-NUMX-mm AK-176M guns. The ship also has 30-mm torpedo tubes. Normal displacement is 630 tons, maximum speed is 533 knots (2100 km / h), navigation autonomy is 28 days. On the frigate can be based naval helicopter Ka-52 or Ka-20.
In the autumn of 2011, information also emerged that Vietnam had begun negotiations on the supply of Dutch corvettes / light frigates of the SIGMA type (the ship's 4). Ships of this project are already being built for Morocco and Indonesia. This ship, depending on the modification, may have a displacement from 1700 to 2400 tons. In terms of its weapons and technical characteristics, it is similar to the Russian "Cheetah".
We should also single out such an important element of the updated Vietnamese Navy as mobile coastal missile systems "Bastion-P", which Vietnam also acquired from Russia. These complexes, which have a Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missile system, are capable of striking targets at a distance of 300 km. and pose a serious threat to any ship. The contract for the supply of two sets of "Bastion-P" was executed in 2010-2011. Currently, there is the possibility of selling additional sets of PBRK to Vietnam by 2015 year. Each complex includes 4 self-propelled launchers based on the MZKT-7930 (2 CRP on the PU), transport-loading machines, and a command and control vehicle. The Yakhont missiles themselves are stored in special transport-launch glasses, which facilitates their operation and prolongs the service life.
Another major project is a contract for the supply and licensed production of rocket boats "Lightning", the total value of which is about 1 billion. In the 1990s, 4 boats of the 1241RE Molniya Ave, armed with the Termite missile system, were delivered to Vietnam. In 1993, Vietnam acquired a license to build boats of the 1241.8 Molniya Ave., armed with the Uran missile system. Delivery of regulatory, technical and technological documentation for their construction began in 2005 year. Since 2006, the process of their production began. The first strike boat "Lightning" with the missile complex "Uranus" was transferred to Vietnam in 2007 year, the second in 2008. According to the signed contract 2 of the ship was built by Russia, another 10 under license will have to produce Vietnam. The implementation of the licensed assembly began in 2010, when the first missile boat of the series was laid in Ho Chi Minh City. To complete their construction, Vietnam is counting on the 2016 year.
Today, the Vietnamese Navy is in the process of active formation and transition from the outdated coastal fleet, which was not able to provide adequate protection even for the territorial waters of the state, to a small, but rather powerful and modern regional fleet. By the end of this decade, Vietnam will have a fleet that will force the PRC to refrain from its attempts to establish control over the South China Sea using power methods.
Sources used:
www.nvo.ng.ru/printed/268084
www.vpk.name/news/53309_otnosheniya_rossii_i_vetnama_v_sfere_vts_vyihodyat_na_uroven_strategicheskogo_partnerstva.html
www.atrinfo.ru/asia/army_vietnam.html
www.arms-expo.ru/049056050057124050050057051051.html
Prerequisites for creating a strong fleet
Currently, the region of Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing in the world. Already, we can say with confidence about the appearance of a new geopolitical knot on the world map. This is achieved due to the concentration in the region of resources, key lines of maritime communications, a population of 600 million people, as well as high conflict potential. Which, on the one hand, is determined by the presence of intrastate (political instability, unresolved interfaith and ethnic conflicts) and non-state (piracy, drug trafficking, international terrorism) threats, and on the other hand, confrontation of individual states (both regional and nonregional).
The decisive factor in regional policy in this region is a significant increase in the role of the World Ocean. The South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca largely provide economic growth in the region. And it is precisely at these points that most of the threats to international and national security fall. Sea lines of communications in Southeast Asia form the large role that non-regional powers have here, which include the United States, India and Japan. Therefore, it is not surprising that the states of the region “turned towards the sea” and increasingly pay attention to maritime policy.
NNS pr. 636 "Varshavyanka"
In recent years, Vietnam has become one of the key countries in the region, which relies on maritime policy. For their national security and economic prosperity, this country with a population of 90 million needs the development of its maritime potential, and in particular the navy. Already, the development of the Vietnamese Navy is becoming an important factor in the "big game" that 3 leading giant countries - the USA, China and India are leading.
Back in 1999, the Vietnamese government made a statement about the beginning of a ten-year program for the development of the country's port infrastructure, which was only partially implemented. Despite this, Vietnam managed to find a strategic ally in the face of its old partner, India, which, starting from the 90s, has been actively developing the “East look” doctrine and is seeking to gain a foothold in the Southeast Asian region. At present, India, together with Vietnamese companies, is developing oil and gas fields in the South China Sea.
The strengthening of the economic and military-political ties between New Delhi and Hanoi led to even greater tension in Vietnam-China relations. Despite the fact that both countries adhere to the communist ideology, the PRC over the past decades remains the main threat to the national security of Vietnam. After the confrontation, which has more than 30 years, tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea (in Vietnam it is called the East Sea) grows. Vietnam’s growing discontent with China’s claims to most of the South China Sea, as well as to the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
Light Frigate "Cheetah 3.9"
In turn, India feels more confident in this region and is ready for the sake of cooperation with Vietnam to go for some aggravation of relations with the PRC. Another partner of Vietnam, primarily in the military sphere, remained the USSR for many years, and now it is Russia. Also in recent years, the United States has become a partner of the state in its opposition to Chinese ambitions in this region. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vietnam and the United States headed for overcoming the hostility that persisted between the two countries after the Vietnam War ended. In 2000, for the first time after the war, the United States Secretary of Defense visited Vietnam, and in 2010 and 2011, the two countries conducted joint naval exercises.
Navy construction
The Vietnamese leadership understands that the country is not able to enter into a full-fledged naval arms race with the PRC. However, taking into account the experience of previous military conflicts, in order to protect its national interests, Vietnam must have sufficient naval forces. That is why in the zero years of Hanoi headed for the construction of a modern and efficient coastal fleet. Its main partner in this project is Russia and to a lesser extent - India.
Today, Vietnam adheres to this approach, which involves the use of the fleet to protect the exclusive economic zone and the coastal territory of the state. Vietnam plans to achieve the possibility of inflicting sufficient damage to the enemy, but it does not strive to establish sea supremacy in the event of a conflict with China. It is believed that this will be enough to prevent the PRC from a policy of “fait accompli” and will become a rather important element of deterrence in Vietnamese-Chinese relations.
In addition to the possible confrontation with China, Vietnam is preparing its fleet to counter the irregular sea threats, which include piracy, drug trafficking, smuggling. And also to a possible conflict with any state of Southeast Asia, although this option seems unlikely.
Dutch corvette SIGMA
In accordance with the tasks set, the Vietnamese Navy, which for a long time was only a “mosquito fleet”, is now focused on building modern light frigates and corvettes, creating a powerful submarine fleet, as well as small rocket-artillery boats and ships. The total amount of contracts concluded between Vietnam and Russia in the naval sphere exceeds 5 billion dollars.
The largest project that Vietnam implements in the field of naval construction is the purchase of 6 non-nuclear submarines (NNS) from Russia by the 636 Varshavyanka project in the Klio NATO terminology. The supply contract was concluded in the 2009 year. The first boat was laid in St. Petersburg at the Admiralty Shipyards in August 2010. The cost of this contract is estimated at 1,8 billion. In addition, Russia will also deal with the provision of construction in Vietnam of related infrastructure and a base for submarines, which is estimated back in 1,5-2,1 billion dollars. The first submarine should be transferred to Vietnam in the 2013 year, the last in the 2018 year.
Modern non-nuclear submarines of the Varshavyanka project for the Vietnamese Navy will be armed with the Club-S anti-ship missile systems. The hull of the boat is divided into 6 waterproof compartments, the autonomy of navigation - 45 days. The boat has a very low noise level at the level of natural ocean noise. Its lightweight body is covered with a thick anti-acoustic rubber coating. These boats are one of the most optimal options for naval equipment in terms of the “cost-effectiveness” criterion. If necessary, the Vietnamese Navy will be able to ensure the continuous presence of several submarines at sea, which in the event of a conflict will allow to challenge Chinese local supremacy at sea for a certain period of time.
PBRK "Bastion-P"
The second important element in the updated Vietnamese fleet were the ships of the far sea zone - modern ships of the class heavy corvette / light frigate. In 2011, Russia handed over to 2 Vietnam a patrol ship of the 11661 project “Cheetah 3.9”, which were produced at the Zelenodolsk plant named after Gorky. The contract for their construction worth 350 million dollars was concluded in 2006 year. After receiving the 2-x of the first "Cheetahs", Vietnam translated into a firm contract the previously concluded option for the construction of 2-x additional vessels of this class. They will have to differ from their predecessors by more powerful anti-submarine weapons.
The 11661 frigates of the project are designed to search, detect and destroy all types of targets (surface, underwater and air), both independently and as part of a battle group. Can solve patrol and convoy tasks. The upgraded ships "Cheetah" for the Vietnamese Navy built using technology "Stealth". Armed with the Palma-SU anti-aircraft complex with a new optical-electronic guidance system and the Uran-E anti-ship missiles - two quadruple launchers. Artillery weapons are represented by X-NUMX-mm AK-76M and two X-NUMX-mm AK-176M guns. The ship also has 30-mm torpedo tubes. Normal displacement is 630 tons, maximum speed is 533 knots (2100 km / h), navigation autonomy is 28 days. On the frigate can be based naval helicopter Ka-52 or Ka-20.
In the autumn of 2011, information also emerged that Vietnam had begun negotiations on the supply of Dutch corvettes / light frigates of the SIGMA type (the ship's 4). Ships of this project are already being built for Morocco and Indonesia. This ship, depending on the modification, may have a displacement from 1700 to 2400 tons. In terms of its weapons and technical characteristics, it is similar to the Russian "Cheetah".
Rocket boat pr. 1241.8 "Lightning"
We should also single out such an important element of the updated Vietnamese Navy as mobile coastal missile systems "Bastion-P", which Vietnam also acquired from Russia. These complexes, which have a Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missile system, are capable of striking targets at a distance of 300 km. and pose a serious threat to any ship. The contract for the supply of two sets of "Bastion-P" was executed in 2010-2011. Currently, there is the possibility of selling additional sets of PBRK to Vietnam by 2015 year. Each complex includes 4 self-propelled launchers based on the MZKT-7930 (2 CRP on the PU), transport-loading machines, and a command and control vehicle. The Yakhont missiles themselves are stored in special transport-launch glasses, which facilitates their operation and prolongs the service life.
Another major project is a contract for the supply and licensed production of rocket boats "Lightning", the total value of which is about 1 billion. In the 1990s, 4 boats of the 1241RE Molniya Ave, armed with the Termite missile system, were delivered to Vietnam. In 1993, Vietnam acquired a license to build boats of the 1241.8 Molniya Ave., armed with the Uran missile system. Delivery of regulatory, technical and technological documentation for their construction began in 2005 year. Since 2006, the process of their production began. The first strike boat "Lightning" with the missile complex "Uranus" was transferred to Vietnam in 2007 year, the second in 2008. According to the signed contract 2 of the ship was built by Russia, another 10 under license will have to produce Vietnam. The implementation of the licensed assembly began in 2010, when the first missile boat of the series was laid in Ho Chi Minh City. To complete their construction, Vietnam is counting on the 2016 year.
Today, the Vietnamese Navy is in the process of active formation and transition from the outdated coastal fleet, which was not able to provide adequate protection even for the territorial waters of the state, to a small, but rather powerful and modern regional fleet. By the end of this decade, Vietnam will have a fleet that will force the PRC to refrain from its attempts to establish control over the South China Sea using power methods.
Sources used:
www.nvo.ng.ru/printed/268084
www.vpk.name/news/53309_otnosheniya_rossii_i_vetnama_v_sfere_vts_vyihodyat_na_uroven_strategicheskogo_partnerstva.html
www.atrinfo.ru/asia/army_vietnam.html
www.arms-expo.ru/049056050057124050050057051051.html
Information