Vietnam Received Fifth Russian-Built Improved Kilo-Class Submarine

9 February 2016 20:47 Rubric: Russia, Industry

The fifth Varshavyanka-class submarine (Project 636.1) built in Russia and named Da Nang has arrived at the Vietnamese naval base Cam Ranh.

The sub was delivered to Vietnam on February 5 on board the Dutch ship Rolldock Star, reports Lenta.Ru referring to Vietnamese press. According to MarineTraffic, the transport dock left Saint Petersburg in mid-December 2015.

Lighter aboard ship Rolldock Star

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Commissioning of the new submarine is scheduled in the next few months. Da Nang will join the Vietnamese Navy’s 189th Submarine Brigade which already operates four Project 636.1 subs.

Replenishment of the Vietnamese Navy with submarine component is carried out by the Russian shipyard Admiralteyskie Verfi in accordance with a contract concluded in 2009. Till the end of 2016, the St. Petersburg-based shipyard plans to deliver the sixth Varshavyanka-class sub to be named Vung Tau.

Project 636.1 is an upgraded version of Soviet diesel electric submarines (Project 877EKM) exported to the Warsaw Pact countries so obtained the codename of Varshavyanka (in Russian, a female native of Warsaw, also known as Kilo-class in the west). Project 636.1 is an exclusively exportable submarine; even more improved Project 636.3 subs are being built for the Russian Navy.