Vietnam starts building largest homemade anti-submarine warship
The vessel, being built at the defense ministry's Song Thu Shipyard in Danang City, will also have most of its weapons and military equipment developed or assembled in the country, the Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper said late on Monday.
Vietnam has commenced construction of its largest and most advanced domestically built anti-submarine frigate, according to a military-owned newspaper. The vessel is being constructed at the defense ministry's Song Thu Shipyard in Danang City, with most of its weapons and military equipment also developed or assembled within the country.
Vietnam, often embroiled in maritime disputes with China and other South China Sea claimants, aims to bolster its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities to lessen reliance on imported military hardware primarily from Russia. The project exemplifies Vietnam's commitment to fostering a self-reliant and modern defense industry, as outlined in a government statement.
Key participants in the vessel's construction include military-run telecoms and technology group Viettel, alongside other defense research and manufacturing units, who will collaborate closely with the navy and Song Thu during the development and installation of weapons and equipment. Vietnam's navy has experienced significant modernization in recent decades, acquiring Russian-built Kilo-class submarines and Gepard-class frigates, alongside an expanding fleet of domestically manufactured missile boats and patrol vessels.
The country is set to host the Vietnam International Defense Expo in Hanoi in December, marking the third edition of the biennial event, as Vietnam strives to bolster domestic defense production and diversify sources of military equipment.
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