Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

fleet of Russian Navy Kilo-class conventional submarines

LONDON April 28 news: Russia’s “Kommersant” reported on April 27, the Russian Admiral shipyard will soon get a huge contract : Vietnamese Navy will build six “Kilo” class diesel-powered submarines, worth a total of $ 1.8 billion.

Admiral Vladimir Alexander, general manager of the shipyard had said last Friday, the company “has been identified as the six Kilo-class submarines built units,” the Russian defense exports in the near future with foreign customers to sign the relevant contract. Initially experts had speculated that Venezuela is likely to be buyers of these submarines, but the latest news has confirmed that the Vietnamese Navy, is the real buyers.

according to two close to the Russian defense export company sources, Vietnam, Russia is ready to sell the “Kilo” class submarine 636 is priced about $ 300 million. Negotiations between the two countries have already begun about a year ago. Currently, the two sides have not finalized the construction of submarines period. However, once the contract has been signed, construction and delivery speed of the submarine will be completed in the last few years – Admiral shipyard was signed with Algeria in 2007 to build two “Kilo” class submarine contract, delivery dates In 2009 and 2010.

sources also pointed out that although the Navy shipyard has been finalized will be the sole executor of the contract, but when necessary, in the northern city of Severodvinsk shipyard may also take 1-2 the construction of submarines. However, the two companies have not yet comment on the matter.

As has repeatedly said that Venezuela to buy Russian-made submarines, because of its ready again to reduce the quantity ordered, coupled with Commission President Hugo Chavez recently when meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama’s “intimate” act , Russia has decided to abandon the submarine export agreement signed with the Commission’s efforts. It is reported that Venezuelan Navy has repeatedly expressed the need to purchase Russian-made submarines to protect its oil-rich continental shelf. Commission and Russia since 2007 related to the negotiations already commenced activities. But the past two years, the Commission’s attitude has undergone significant changes: the first was declared the purchase of nine submarines, then reduced to six, but the latest news is that no more than 3-4 boats.

In addition, Chavez in a recent meeting of the OAS met Obama’s move also contributed to the final refusal by the Russian submarines, one of the reasons. Chavez first go at this meeting with Obama and had “historic handshake.”

sources, as the Russian military-technical cooperation partners, the position occupied by Vietnam in no way inferior to Venezuela. In recent years, Vietnam has become a major buyer of Russian weapons. In Russia with the help of the Vietnamese naval power has been significantly strengthened.

in 2001-2002, Vietnam, Russia ordered to eight 1241.8-type missile boats, two 1166.1-type “cheetah” class frigate and a “bastion” shore-based anti-ship missile system. Vietnam will be possible to discount the price or the form of loans provided by Russia to buy six submarines. Of course, the final price of the submarine will also depend on expensive equipment, “Club-S” anti-ship missile system. Need to add is that in Russia prior to the export of 636 submarines were equipped with “Club-S” system.

636 “Kilo” class diesel-powered submarines from Russia, “Ruby” Design Bureau, mainly used to destroy enemy surface ships and submarines, protecting one’s naval base and a variety of important facilities. The submarine is the world’s most outstanding acoustic performance of the submarine, its length 73.8 m, displacement 2350 tons, the maximum underwater speed of 20 knots, the maximum dive depth of 300 meters, 52 members. “Kilo” class submarines equipped with the main weapon for the four missiles (the number can be increased), 18 torpedoes and 24 mines. (Compiled: Spring)