Vietnam already boasts a thriving merchant ship construction sector, and has also built some coastal paramilitary craft in recent years. Now, the country is rapidly emerging as a warship builder of significance.
The country is China's main rival claimant to the strategically and economically important Spratly islands in the South China Sea. The creation of an indigenous warship construction capability is a vital component of Hanoi's strategy of challenging Beijing's superiority in the region.
The 54-metre patrol ship HQ 272 was commissioned into the People's Army of Vietnam Navy (PAVN) in late September 2011. This vessel was constructed, with Russian assistance, by the Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company in Hai Phong. The diesel-powered, 32-knot ship is based the Russian Svetlyak OPV, which has been in service with the PAVN for some years. The ship is armed with a 76.2-millimetre gun and a 30-millimetre cannon. Two more of the class are under construction.
Due to enter service this year is a 72-metre, triple-decked troop transport, bearing the highly symbolic name of 'Truong Sha' (Spratly Islands). This vessel was launched in early October 2011 at the Z189 shipyard in Hai Phong. 'Truong Sha' will bolster the PAVN's existing fleet of support ships, which is employed primarily in ferrying personnel and supplies to and from Vietnamese garrisons in the Spratlys. The new vessel will be capable of carrying 180 troops.
Two Russian-designed Molnya missile corvettes are currently under construction in Vietnam. Up to four more of the class are projected, with VYMPEL of Russia supplying components for construction in Vietnam. These 60-metre, 460-tonne warships mount a powerful battery of 16 SS-N-25 surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs). With a range of 130 kilometres, the sea-skimming system would pose a significant threat to Chinese warships in the event of conflict.
Vietnam is also negotiating with the Netherlands for the construction of two Sigma missile corvettes, with two more to be built in Holland. Versions of this vessel, already in service with the Indonesian Navy, have an armament that includes four MM 40 Exocet SSMs.
These indigenous programmes form part of a major naval expansion programme being led by PAVN commander Vice-Admiral Nguyen Van Hien. The programme, facilitated by Vietnam's US$3.3 billion annual defence budget, has included the commissioning, over the past decade, of a tranche of Russian-built warships
These include four Svetlyak OPVs, with two more in build, two Molniyas, and two SS-N-25 equipped, helicopter-capable Gepard frigates, with two more on order. Also, up to six Kilo submarines are due to be provide a potentially huge boost to the PAVN order of battle from 2013.
Moreover, advanced Bastion coastal defence missile systems have been purchased from Russia, while the Vietnamese are also talking with India over the acquisition both of second-hand warships, and of Indo/Russian Brahmos anti-shipping missiles, as well as assistance with starting up submarine operations.
Trevor Hollingsbee
