October 18,

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7 August 2000:

Here's an nice piece by JDW. While its still about the old news on the subs, it does a better job detailing the capabilities of the Sang-o class minisub (if the purchase was indeed two Sang-o subs) as well as a pic.

Vietnam buys submarines from North Korea

Jane's Defence Weekly, Wednesday - December 09, 1998

Robert Karniol JDW Asia Pacific Editor

Vietnam's beleaguered navy has fulfilled a long-standing requirement for an undersea warfare capability with the acquisition from North Korea of two mini-submarines.

The second-hand vessels were obtained about 18 months ago and are currently being refurbished at the Cam Ranh Bay navy base. They reportedly arrived in poor condition. Details of the deal are not known. Asian-based intelligence sources are generally convinced that the submarines are of the Sang-o class, which has a surfaced displacement of 260 tonnes. Other sources suggest that they may be Yugo class midget submarines.

The Sang-o carries a complement of 19 that can be supplemented by six swimmers. They are fitted with either two or four 533mm torpedo tubes and some can carry up to 16 mines. Range is 2,700n miles at a maximum speed of 8.8kts and maximum diving depth is 180m.

Click to see full picture [14 kb]

Equipment includes a surface search radar and a hull-mounted passive/active search and attack sonar, but these and other systems may be upgraded during the refurbishment programme. Although limited in size and capability, the Sang-o can undertake a range of missions - including attacks against surface ships, mine laying and infiltration of reconnaissance personnel or commandos. South Korea captured a North Korean Sang-o-class boat intact two years ago.

The acquisition from North Korea appears to be a useful interim solution for cash-strapped Vietnam, providing the navy with a basic capability at limited cost.

The submarine deal represents a breakthrough between Vietnam and North Korea. Though both are among the world's few remaining communist states, relations have not been particularly close and previous arms transfers of any significance are not known.

This acquisition is Vietnam's most recent initiative aimed at bolstering its navy, which is in poor condition. In 1994 two Type 1241RA missile boats, a variant of the Tarantul-class corvette, were purchased from Russia. There have also been discussions with Moscow on the joint venture production in Vietnam of at least two types of warships, which would be a significant boost to Hanoi's shipbuilding capabilities (Jane's Defence Weekly, 4 September 1996).

5 August 2000:

Yes, I realize its been a while since I updated this sight, but here we are. It'll still be a while before I have all my pages updated in the new format. Its a haphazard process I must admit. Anyways, today brings us six(6) articles. The first starts with a VN/Ukraine relatioship, the implications of VN's strategic coastline and ports, the purchase of a civilian (?) vessel, two articles on Vietnamese corvettes, and finally another followup on the subs.

All Eyes on Hanoi: Vietnam Aligns with Ukraine

Well, this item comes from the thinktank of Stratfor and was dated 17 May 2000. The gist of it being the beginning of VN-Ukrainian shift which will include the Ukraine training Vietnamese officers, construction of a Vietnamese naval test facility, and modernization. If anyone is familiar with this or the the abilities of the Ukraine naval, please feel free to e-mail me as well as any other newsworth items.

Vietnamese Defense Minister Pham Van Tra wrapped up a fruitful visit to Ukraine, returning with a promise of military-technical assistance for Vietnam's military, according to ITAR-Tass May 12. More than a simple arms deal, this agreement signals Vietnam’s unwillingness to become dependent on a sponsor-state like Russia.

Media reports from Thailand note that the new agreement focused on shipbuilding and modernizing Vietnam’s navy. Additionally, Ukraine military academics will train 30 to 40 Vietnamese officers. Ukrainian technicians are already at work constructing a test facility for Vietnam’s navy. The two sides also agreed on an exchange program for mid-level officers.

This deal, however, is about more than armaments and training. Vietnam is being courted by the United States, Russia, India and China – all of whom wish to have naval access to its ports. Vietnam has a long coastline on the South China Sea, the shipping route between Asia and Europe. Access to the ports is a great advantage for any power wishing to influence the region. Thus, all eyes are on Hanoi to see which way it leans. Signing an agreement with Ukraine allows Vietnam a great deal of flexibility. Ukraine isn’t particularly aligned with China, Russia or the United States – thus Vietnam keeps its options open.

But an agreement with Ukraine suggests a shift away from Russia. Ukraine produces the same type of weaponry as Russia – but much fewer strings are attached. Russia uses military exports to gain cash and influence, either by offering them at reduced rates or by withholding exports when there is no other source. Ukraine has no ambitions in the South China Sea other than gaining a new export market. Thus, Vietnam can get the same hardware and expertise without the political baggage.

Ukrainian motivations are simple – cash and political leverage. Arms exports are one of the few sources of foreign currency for Ukraine, whose economy has shrunk more than 50 percent in 10 years. Kiev sells weapons to a number of nations that use old Soviet military hardware.

However, there are other motives beyond simple economics. Ukraine is too weak to embrace the West and oppose Russia. But it doesn’t want to re-tie itself to Russia either. Thus, it is non-aligned by necessity rather than choice. However, Ukraine has taken the opportunity to quietly challenge Russia when possible. For example, Ukraine is currently training Chinese intelligence officers in technical Russian vocabulary and signals intelligence. Taking Russia's place as a weapons provider for Vietnam is a subtle way to challenge Moscow’s foreign policy.

Vietnam sent a statement to China earlier in the year when it agreed on joint exercises with the Indian navy. After the United States, India is the biggest challenge to Chinese control of the South China Sea. Improved Indian relations are perfect for Vietnam; they offer a credible alternative to Russia, China and the United States, yet New Delhi is not in an economic or military position to dictate policy to Hanoi.

In bypassing Russia and challenging China, Vietnam can dictate the shape of its relationships. A port agreement with either Russia or China is still possible. But like Ukraine, Vietnam has no desire to return to the days of sponsor-client relationships with Moscow and Beijing. Instead, Vietnam can use Ukraine as a limited alternative. Both Hanoi and Kiev are too weak to completely strike out on their own, and so both must negotiate a fine line of neutrality.

Washington, Moscow and Beijing Covet Vietnam’s Ports

Another Statfor article dated 16 March 2000, here were are given a great deal of speculation concerning the strategic situation of Viet Nam's coastline and her possible future strategic-relationships with China, Russia, and the US.

U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen’s visit to Vietnam, which ended March 15, is the latest in a flurry of diplomatic activity between Hanoi and officials from China, Russia and the United States. Given Vietnam's grim economic outlook, the sudden enthusiasm of these countries to strengthen relations seems rather unusual.

But Vietnam does have one priceless asset. Its long coastline provides direct access to the South China Sea, the supply line to Northeast Asia. Vietnam has one of the few major naval bases directly on the sea. For the United States, control of these waters is the key to defending Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

Neither China nor the United States has a military presence in Vietnam. Only Russia has access to a Vietnamese base. The Russian navy leases facilities at Cam Ranh Bay, once the center of U.S. military power in the country, near the southern tip of Vietnam. The lease will expire in 2004, and Russia has been involved in tense negotiations with Vietnam to extend it. During the 1980s, the bay was Russia's largest overseas naval base, although it has since scaled back its presence.

The United States would also like to have access to Vietnam’s ports and military bases.

As U.S. influence in Southeast Asia diminishes – particularly in Thailand and Indonesia – the United States is shifting its attention to the South China Sea. Vietnam offers one of the only major bases in this region. Singapore continues to be willing to harbor U.S. ships, but the city-state is not located on the South China Sea.

Until the mid-1990s, the United States maintained a base in Subic Bay in the Philippines; now the United States has begun to court Manila again. Besides Vietnam and the Philippines, the northern coast of Malaysian-controlled Borneo provides the only direct port access. But Malaysia’s government is unlikely to welcome U.S. warships in its ports. Moreover, its existing facilities can't compare to Cam Ranh Bay.

Because of its key location, the United States, Russia and China are all courting Vietnam, which will use this popularity to its advantage. From the United States and China, Vietnam will seek trade and investment bonuses. China may soon take a more conciliatory stance toward Vietnam regarding disputed territory in the Spratly Islands.

Vietnam ultimately may have the most to gain from Russia, its ideological big brother during the Cold War. Hanoi has discussed with Moscow the possibility of Russia forgiving billions of dollars of debt in exchange for continued use of the Cam Ranh Bay base, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Although the cash-starved Russian government has so far refused to budge, competition for the base could provide the necessary incentive.

Speaking to reporters after his talks, Cohen himself alluded to the one vital U.S. interest in Vietnam. He said he "foresaw a day when U.S. warships will call on Vietnam's ports," reported Agence France-Presse. In the upcoming months, the three countries' competition for influence in Vietnam will likely intensify.

Chinese Cargo Vessel Auctioned to Vietnamese Firm

Here's a mundane piece taken from the People's Daily dated 28 June 2000.

A Chinese cargo ship has been auctioned to a Vietnamese company at a price of 2.1 million yuan ( about 253,000 US dollars).

This is the first time that a foreign company wins a bid to buy a vessel in Shandong Province. The buyer is based in the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh.

The vessel, which belonged to the debt-ridden Weifang International Ocean Shipping Company was put up for auction on June 27, ordered by the Qingdao Maritime Court in eastern China coastal province.

The vessel, "Weiguang," was auctioned after Weifang International Ocean Shipping Company had failed to follow the court ruling to pay a debt of 400,000 yuan to a local company, Qingdao Lingshan Shipping Industry Co., Ltd.

In March this year, the court detained "Weiguang" when the ship anchored at the port of Xiamen in east China's Fujian Province and ordered its auction.

Vietnam may move on corvette decision

This old piece comes from Jane's Defence Weekly, dated 15 December 1999. It speculates about the current and future Tarantual corvettes.

The Vietnamese People's Army (VPA) already operates four Tarantul Is, whose main armament comprises four P-15 Termit (NATO codename: SS-N-2D 'Styx') anti-ship missiles. The first pair was obtained under a contract concluded in 1994 and the second pair under a 1998 follow-up agreement; all are now operationally deployed.

Hanoi earlier this year expressed an interest in the Tarantul III (pictured below), which differs from the Tarantul I mainly in that it boasts the more powerful Raduga 3M80 'Moskit' (NATO codename: SS-N-22 'Sunburn') anti-ship missile. Russia is already supplying the 'Moskit' system to China for its two Russian-built Sovremenny-class destroyers, the first of which is due for delivery imminently.

Vietnam's query did not specify the number of ships it would like to obtain. However, Hanoi could respond to Moscow's subsequent proposal during the planned visit to Russia before year-end by the VPA navy chief.

A Vietnamese acquisition of the Tarantul III may also lead to a joint-venture agreement that would see Hanoi begin building the ship locally. Talks on such a deal, aimed at giving Hanoi its first capability to construct warships, began over three years ago but have yet to produce results.

The proposed joint venture initially focused on two classes of warship, a corvette and a fast attack craft. The Tarantul design could fulfil the latter requirement.

- Robert Karniol JDW Asia-Pacific Editor

Vietnam could decide as early as this month on whether to proceed with its proposed acquisition from Russia of Tarantul III-class missile corvettes.

Vietnam to boost corvette fleet

A precursor to the above article, this also comes from JDW, is dated 27 January 1999, and speculates about the Tarantual deal.

The 455-ton corvettes, optimised for tropical conditions, will join two Tarantul I ships which have been in Vietnamese service since 1996. As with the the earlier corvettes the new ships will be armed with two twin launchers for the 45n mile range P-15 Termit-R (SS-N-2D 'Styx') missile, the Igla air defence missile, a 76mm AK-176 gun and two 30mm AK-630M air defence guns.

The former Soviet Union/Russia has previously exported 24 Tarantul I and II class corvettes: Bulgaria purchasing two; Finland - one; the former East Germany - five; India - five; Iraq - one; Poland - four; Romania - two; Yemen - two; Vietnam - two. Another 44 were built for Soviet/Russian service.

The naval sector represents no more than 14% of Russia's arms exports with a drop in the number of platforms sold in recent years. Vietnam is considering acquiring Project 12418 vessels armed with quadruple Kh-35 (SS-N-25 'Switchblade') missile launchers. This could involve local assembly (JDW 4 September 1996).

- Nikolai Novichkov JDW Correspondent

Vietnam is to receive two modified Tarantul II (Type 1241 RE) corvettes from Russia's Vympel joint stock company over the next few months (Jane's Defence Weekly 9 December 1998).

Vietnam buys submarines from North Korea

This other old piece comes from Jane's Defence Weekly, dated 09 December 1998. It gives more information concerning the two subs purchased and their capabilities. There also appears to be conflicting reports of whether or not they're are the Yogo or Sang-o class.

Equipment includes a surface search radar and a hull-mounted passive/active search and attack sonar, but these and other systems may be upgraded during the refurbishment programme.

Although limited in size and capability, the Sang-o can undertake a range of missions - including attacks against surface ships, mine laying and infiltration of reconnaissance personnel or commandos. South Korea captured a North Korean Sang-o-class boat intact two years ago.

The acquisition from North Korea appears to be a useful interim solution for cash-strapped Vietnam, providing the navy with a basic capability at limited cost.

Robert Karniol JDW Asia Pacific Editor

Vietnam's beleaguered navy has fulfilled a long-standing requirement for an undersea warfare capability with the acquisition from North Korea of two mini-submarines.

October 18, 1999:

Viet/Thai Border Patrols

According to Stratfor.com:

1824 GMT, 991018 Thailand/Vietnam – Thailand and Vietnam began joint patrols of the boundary lines separating their territorial waters Oct. 18 in an attempt to prevent the illegal entry of fishing vessels.

VN Gov't Approves Master Plan

This was just taken from Saigon Times Daily:

"(SGT-HCMC) The Government last Tuesday approved a masterplan for developing local seaports by 2010 to target a yearly throughput capacity of 106 million tons in 2003 and 200 million tons in 2010.

Decision 202/1999/QD-TTg issued by the prime minister says 114 seaports will be developed over the first ten years of the new century. These are classified into eight groups based on their geographical locations from north to south, with each comprising both mixed and specialized ports.

From now to 2003, Vietnam will focus on developing ten key ports: Cai Lan, Haiphong, Cua Lo, Danang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Thi Vai, Saigon, Can Tho and a specialized port for the Dung Quat Industrial Park.

According to the master-plan, existing ports will be upgraded while some key mixed ports will be built in focal economic zones to accommodate vessels of more than 30,000 DWT. The masterplan targets all import-export commodities to be handled at seaports by 2010.

Ports or docks for containerized cargo handling, loose goods, liquid items and international transshipment will also be built. Some local ports will also be developed over the period.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport is responsible for zoning and approving port development projects, and seeking funding for developing ports and port infrastructure development.

Investments will come mostly from the State budget, official development assistance (ODA), joint-ventures, build-operate-transfer contracts and other sources. Key seaport projects will be prioritized for State funding." by Lan Anh 10/18/99

May 13, 1999:

The Master Plan

Found a brief article from VNA that mentions Vietnam's shipping capacity.

Viet Nam will have 114 sea ports by next year, states the Ministry of Transport and Communication's master plan to develop national sea port system. Viet Nam's sea ports will have a combined annual capacity of 106 million tonnes of cargo by next year and 268 million tonnes by 2010.

May 9, 1999:

Thanks goes out to Paul Cropper of RMN News for some massive info dumps:

Russia's Lease On Cam Ranh Bay

The following is an excerpt mentioning Cam Ranh Bay from a larger article whichcan be found in The Frontlines.:

The Russian navy still maintains several hundred personnel at Cam Ranh Bay, 400 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City, a large U.S.-built naval facility that once provided the Soviet Pacific fleet with a strategic base. Russia has a 25-year lease on Cam Ranh base that expires in 2004 and which it wants extended. Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev, visiting Vietnam in October, vowed that despite financial problems the military will make every effort to keep the lease.

14Apr1999 RUSSIA:

ALMAZ SHIPBUILDER SIGNS

CONTRACT WITH VIETNAM NAVY TO

SUPPLY TWO PATROL BOATS

"Five years ago the company started production of five patrol boats for the Russian Navy. After the government failed to pay, Almaz was forced to look for some other buyers. Two boats were sold to Vietnam at a price lower than cost. Vietnam would not pay the full price in cash. Part of the amount will be covered with consumer goods. Confidential sources reported that low prices are due to tough competition among Russian shipbuilding companies. It may become a bad precedent. Russian defense companies fight for their buyers by means of dumping prices." -Distributed via COMTEX News, Sources:A & G INFORMATION SERVICES 14/04/1999

09Apr1999 RUSSIA:

RUSSIA INCREASES ITS ARMS EXPORT TO VIETNAM AGAIN

Here's an excerpt from a larger article. I've only included any references to the navy. The rest of the article can be found in The Frontlines.

Rosvooruzhenie is getting ready to deliver two 1241 RE project missile boats with tropical modifications to Vietnam.

The boats were constructed by the Vympel company in the town of Rybinsk and are outfitted with Termit anti-ship missile complexes (two double launchers with four P-21 missiles). Russia attaches considerable importance to the contract because it has steadily failed to increase the naval component of its military hardware export over the last few years (it still amounts to 12% or 14% of the total export). Actually, Russian export of combat ships to developing countries has even dropped somewhat in the last several years.

In 1999, the deliveries of 16 X35 missiles to Vietnam will commence. Manufactured at the Zvezda-Strela State Scientific-Industrial Center, the missiles are intended for missile boats. All in all, Vietnam intends to buy between 32 and 48 such missiles for up to $70 million. Zvezda-Strela guarantees 15 years of impeccable performance in the tropics.

24Mar1999 RUSSIA:

Russia completes design of Vietnamese corvettes

"Russia's Northern Project Design Bureau (SPKB) has completed the design work on the KBO 2000 (Project 2100) corvette ordered by Vietnam. SPKB and Vietnam are still finalising the corvette's combat systems, weapons fit and the start date for the ship's construction. The 2,000-tonne corvette is planned to be armed with the Uran (SS-N-25 Switchblade) anti-ship and the Klinok (SA-N-9 'Gauntlet') anti-aircraft missile systems, 100mm gun, two 30mm guns and torpedo launchers. It will also feature a helicopter landing platform.

Designer General of the SPKB, Vladimir Yukhnin, said that co-operative work on KBO 2000 marks a new stage in the Russian-Vietnamese co-operation in military ship building, which has proved its effectiveness in the BPS 500 patrol boat programme.

The patrol boats are under production at the Hoshimin shipyard in Vietnam, with technical support from SPKB. The first BPS 500 is undergoing sea trials.

The 530-tonne BPS 500 boats are armed with a 76mm gun, a 30mm close-in weapons system, Uran anti-ship missiles, Igla (SA N-10 'Gimlet') air defence missiles and two 12.7mm heavy machine guns.

The Vietnamese Navy has in service seven frigates, seven landing ships, about 100 missile, torpedo and patrol boats, mainly of Soviet design." - Nikolai Novichkov JDW Correspondent, Volume 031/012, (c) Jane's Information Group Limited 1999.

31Jan1999 VIETNAM:

Vietnam joining elite submarine club

"VIETNAM is set to become the third Southeast Asian nation with working submarines after a deal with North Korea.

Asian defence sources have confirmed Jane's Defence Weekly reports that Vietnam obtained two second-hand Sang-o class vessels as part of an upgrade of its cash-strapped navy. The deal has been noted with considerable interest in Beijing and Washington.

This is a highly intriguing development. It could mean that China no longer has the feeling of unbridled naval freedom in the South China Sea," one diplomat said. "The region is watching with interest to try to figure out how Vietnam will use its new power."

Hanoi officially appeals for the maintenance of peace and stability across the disputed Spratly Island chain, but has long been vocal about what it sees as Chinese encroachments. Vietnam and China are the only two states to claim possession of the Spratly and Paracels archipelagos in their entirety. Privately, Hanoi officials describe their relationship with China as Vietnam's most important, while warning that China represents the biggest threat to Vietnam's hard-won security.

Classed as mini-submarines, the vessels can still wage a range of traditional undersea warfare, from searching for and torpedoing ships to laying mines and releasing commandos.

The subs have an estimated range of 2,700 nautical miles - putting much of the South China Sea within reach. They can carry a crew of 25 and dive to 180 metres.

The run-down craft were sent in secret to Vietnam about 18 months ago and are being refitted at Cam Ranh Bay on Vietnam's south-central coast, a naval and intelligence base still operated by Russia.

Sources said the refit was almost finished, completing a deal that has given Vietnam "cut-price" access to a long-sought-after submarine force. "They may be small but they can do virtually everything a bigger submarine can do ... they should not be underrated," a source said.

The deal also suggests a warming of the once-frosty ties between Pyongyang and Hanoi, for decades ideological opposites.

Currently only Indonesia and Singapore boast submarines, but Thailand and Malaysia have long been eyeing them. Chinese and US vessels are thought to be the only regular underwater visitors off Vietnam's coast.

Vietnam has trained submarine teams for years on Russian vessels calling at Cam Ranh Bay." -By Greg Torode in Bangkok, SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST 31/01/1999

27Jan1999 VIETNAM: Vietnam to boost corvette fleet

"Vietnam is to receive two modified Tarantul II (Type 1241 RE) corvettes from Russia's Vympel joint stock company over the next few months (Jane's Defence Weekly 9 December 1998).

May 5, 1999:

New Vietnamese Corvettes Originally Ordered by Russian Military

I snatched this off of RMN News:

"A&G Information Services reports that Almaz's contract to supply two patrol boats to the Vietnamese navy originated in a five patrol boat order for the Russian Navy. When the Russian government failed to pay, two were sold to Vietnam at less than cost. Vietnam has refused to pay the full price in cash, so part of the contract amount will be paid in consumer goods." A&G Information Services, 14 April 1999.

May 1, 1999:

Corvettes For Vietnam

Old news is better than no news, right? Got this from Russian Military News who got it from Jane's Defense Weekly, that's JDW to the likes of you. Here's what the article had to say, comment in parantheses is mine:

"Vietnam is to receive two modified TARANTUL II (Type 1241 RE) corvettes from Russia over the next few months. The ships will join Vietnam's two existing TARANTUL I ships, in service since 1996. The new TARANTUL II ships will be armed with two twin launchers for the SS-N-2D 'Styx' missile. Vietnam is also considering the purchase of Project 12418 vessels (Molnia Missile Boat?) armed with quadruple SS-N-25 'Switchblade' launchers." -Jane's Defence Weekly, 27 January 1999.

April 26, 1999:

7000 Sailors Sailors on Foreign Ships

Old news (4/17/99), but according to VNN News, Vietnam has some 2,500 sailors and officers and over 4,000 fishermen working on foreign ships. The biggest employers are Japan, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea. Apparently this oversea training has produced more rapid growth and efficiency. The Viet Nam Maritime Corporation earned $6.7 bn for exported maritime labor in 1998, a 146% increase from 1997. Unfortunately, it is reported that Vietnamese seamen require more extensive and comprehensive training. 184 sailors were repatriated because they could not find oversea employment.

Largest Shipyard Opens

According to VNA, in Khanh Hoa (a southern coastal province), the largest shipyard in all of Vietnam was opened today as Hyundai-Vinashin. It is a 50-year joint venture between the Republic of Korea's Hyundai Group and the Viet Nam Shipping Industry (Vinashin). The shipyard is "capable of repairing 400,000-DWT ships and building 80,000-DWT ships." Also, this shipyard was the "second largest foreign-investment project in central Viet Nam" right behind that area's first oil refinery.

Also VOV News states that Hyundai-Vinashin is the largest in all of Southeast Asia. The total investmen cost? $149.5 million (USD). The shipyard employs 2000 workers around the clock. Initially, the shipyard will primarily be concerned with ship repairs and conversions. "For the first year of operation, it plans to repair 100 vessels, earning US$110 million." Additional investments will be required for the creation of drydocks for sea-going vessels as well as steel structures for offshore projects and civil engineering works of bridges to allow the complete manufacturing of sea-going boats. Already, the Hyundai-Vinashin Shipyards have taken in the Greek boat Olympic Mentor and seven other vessels for repairs in the past two months.

Shipbuilding Industry Gets Much Needed Upgrade

According to the Vietnam Economic Times (No. 62 April 1999 and the emphasis is mine),

Vietnam's ship-building industry will be improved by Polish technology under new contracts signed last month, during Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski's visit to the country. Part of a $70m credit promised by the Polish government last June, the $37.15m contracts will provide the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation with new technology and equipment for manufacturing fishing vessels. The corporation has also reached an agreement with Polish Ustka Shipbuilding Yard to set up a joint venture to build tourist, fishing and other types of vessels for export within the next two years."

In addition, Viet Nam News reports that Poland loaned "US$70 million to buy equipment, materials and machinery, and to upgrade factories." Polish assistance would allow the local industry to develop high quality products and improve the design and repair sector.

"The Ha Long Shipyard in the north, a Polish aided project since the 1970s, is expected to receive the largest amount of money, about $15 million including $12 million from Polish loans. Viet Nam would contribute an additional $3 million. The shipyard's investment project involves a X,500tonne floating dry dock where ships are built and repaired, a crane whose capacity is 120 tonnes, a steel processing chain whose annual capacity is 2,000 tonnes and a ship interior decoration chain. With the upgrading project, Ha Long's shipyard would be able to build two new ships whose deadweight-tonne (DWT) capacity is 10,000 each. The factory would also repair 20 larger ships whose DWT is as much as 30,000 each. The shipyard's factory now buiIds ships whose DWT is less than 5,000, and repairs 20 others whose capacity varies from 500 to 10,000 DWT. Last month, Ha Long's shipyard successfully launched the biggest domestically built ship whose capacity is 3,500 DWT."

"Of the total $87 million, $64 million would go towards the building of two cargo ships, each with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes and is valued at $8.5 million; three rescue ships, totalling $7 million; 160 deep-sea fishing ships, worth $22.7 million; and a number of high-speed boats for customs and police sectors."

April 23, 1999:

Russia Due to Deliver Missile Boats

According to the contents of Issue 2 of January 11-17, 1999 of the Russian and CIS Aerospace and Arms Market (RCAAM), a weekly electronic supplement to the Military Parade Magazine (a Russian magazine), Vympel, Rosvoorouzhenie was to deliver two project 1241 RE missile boats to Vietnam.

Fleet Estimate

"Thus, by the mid-1990s the Vietnamese Navy possessed a large number of ships which were either not in operational condition or were hardly seaworthy. The fleet consisted of

10 frigates;

5 Petya class,

one Savage class (ex-US destroyer escort commissioned in 1944 and transferred to the South Vietnamese Navy in 1971 which is used for training),

one Barneqat (ex-US);

3 corvettes :

one ex-US vintage Admirable class (used for training),

2 Tarantul I class;

8 Osa class missile fast attack craft,

13 torpedo attack craft,

4 large patrol vessels,

12 patrol craft;

3 LST (ex-US supplied in mid-sixties),

10 LCU,

3 LSM and 20 other minor landing ships;

16 mine countermeasure ships ;

6 Kamov ASW helicopters and 4 Beriev long-range MR/ASW aircrafts."

(Jane's Fighting Ships, 1997-98, pp. 869-873.)

Vietnam Purchased Two Stealth Subs

According to Kanwa news, "North Korea sold two small, old-fashioned submarines to Vietnam" sometime around July 1997. It is believed that they are two YOGO-class subarmines capable of carrying as many as 30 people, have a displacement of 290 tons, can lay mines, and is loaded with four torpedoes. If indeed these submarines are of the YOGO-class, then they have a mild form of stealth capabilities and is most often used to carry special forces insertion, infiltration, and reconnaissance, but have no actual fighting capabilities of their own.

A different report by Jane's Defense Weekly states that they of the Sang-o-class and were part of a package deal worth $100 million when vice defence minister Nguyen Thoi Bung visited North Korea in December 1996.

According to Asian Defense & Diplomacy (1999, March, volume 6), it is capable of carrying 5 sailors and 25 special forces. They are undergoing extensive refitting and repair at Cam Ranh Bay as well installing Western radios and electronics. Supposedly, the PAVNN hopes to deploy them within 6 months as well as aquire 2 more in August.

Vietnam's MCM Fleet

According to Military Parade (November-December 1997), Vietnam has all classes of MCM (mine countermeasures). Accordingly, Vietnam's MCM arsenal consists of:

2 Yevgeniyas
4 Sonyas
2 Lieniuns
2 Yurkas

However, the Yurka-class ships (Project 266) have already lasted beyond their service life and must be replaced by more sophisticated and advanced sea-going MCM boats.