Vietnam People’s Navy commissioned the final two Kilo-class submarines delivered to Vietnam by Russia in a ceremony in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on February 28.
Named Da Nang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the submarines had their flags raised at the military port of Submarine Brigade 189.
The submarines were the final two of six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam purchased from Russia as part of a contract inked in 2009.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau (HQ-187) was the final boat to arrive from Russia at the port of Cam Ranh, Vietnam on January 20, 2017.
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 displace 3,000-3,950 tons and are capable of operating at a maximum depth of 300 meters and have a range of 6,000-7,500 nautical miles for 45 days with 52 crew members.
Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the commissioning ceremony during which he praised the navy’s modernization efforts and stressed the importance of raising awareness of the navy’s missions, pointing to guidelines on settling disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea).
The PM also said that with its tradition, the navy, including the submarine force, “would do its utmost to overcome all challenges to gloriously fulfill all assigned missions.”
After the ceremony, PM Phuc and his entourage visited and talked with troops on board the 186 Da Nang and 187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau.