Vietnam receives sixth and final submarine from Russia

Vietnam’s sixth and final Kilo-class submarine arrived at the port of Cam Ranh, Vietnam on January 20.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau (HQ-187), as the submarine is named, is joining the other five submarines built in Russia under a $2 billion contract signed in 2009.

The diesel-electric submarine was transported to Vietnam on the Dutch-registered vessel Rolldock Storm.

Vietnam received its first Kilo-class submarine Hanoi (HQ 182) in January 2014 while the fifth submarine, Da Nang (HQ 186), arrived in Vietnam in February 2016.

The submarines are built by the St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyard and are often nicknamed “black holes” for their stealth qualities.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau (HQ-187) was launched in September 2015 and started its voyage to Vietnam in November 2016.