Article Posted on : - May 30, 2014

Kilo class submarine.

ST. PETERSBURG (BNS): Russia's Admiralty Shipyards has laid down the sixth and final Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine for the Vietnamese Navy.

The vessel was laid down on May 28, Ria Novosti reported quoting a defence industry source.

Vietnam had inked a deal worth $2 billion with Russia in 2009 to buy six Kilo-class submarines to augment its maritime prowess. The contract also entailed training of Vietnamese submarine crews in Russia.

While the first sub was delivered in January 2014, the second sub arrived in the country in March.

The two submarines -- HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City -- were commissioned into the Vietnam People's Navy on April 3.

The St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards, which is building the stealth submarines, plans to deliver the third vessel, Hai Phong, in November this year. The sub is presently undergoing sea trials.

The fourth submarine of the series was floated out in late March, and the fifth and sixth are now under construction.

The delivery of all six vessels is scheduled to be completed by 2015-2016.

The Kilo-class submarine features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range, modern inertial navigation system and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets. It can operate at a maximum depth of 300m and at a range of 9,600km for 45 days.

The submarines, designed mainly for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare operations, are fitted with 533-milimeter torpedo tubes and armed with torpedoes, mines, and cruise missiles.

Vietnam is making the new naval acquisition amidst growing regional tension over the South China Sea. The country is locked in a spat with China over the maritime region which is believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits.