On Tuesday, a flag-raising ceremony took place at the Cam Ranh Military Port in Khanh Hoa Province for Viet Nam’s 2 new Kilo-class attack submarines. 

In attendance at the event were Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Minister for Defence Be Xuan Truong, Da Nang municipal Party Committee (PC) Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh, PC Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri, and representatives from national government agencies and the city authorities.

The submarines, named HQ-186 Da Nang and HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau, are the last of the 6 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines which Viet Nam has purchased from Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport as part of a contract signed in 2009.  HQ-186 Da Nang is the fifth in the pack and arrived in Viet Nam in February 2016, whilst HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau was the last to be delivered in January 2017.

The initial 2 submarines, HQ-182 Ha Noi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, were delivered to Viet Nam in 2014, whilst the other 2, HQ-184 Hai Phong and HQ-185 Khanh Hoa, were unveiled in 2015.

The 6 Kilo-class submarines are built with advanced stealth technology, extended combat range, and modern navigation systems.  Each submarine, with 52 crew members on board, can operate at a speed of 20 nautical miles per hour and at a maximum depth of 300 metres. They have a displacement of 3,000 - 3,950 tonnes, and a range of 6,000 - 7,500 nautical miles for 45 days.

The HQ-186 Da Nang was officially launched on 28 December 2014, after which it underwent trials on the Baltic Sea before being delivered and handed over to Viet Nam.  The diesel-electric submarine features a Club anti-ship missile system, and can withstanding torpedoes and naval mines.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Phuc remarked that the purchase of the 6 top-tier modern diesel-fueled submarines is part of the country’s strategy to modernise the Viet Nam People’s Navy, thereby playing a key role in firmly safeguarding the country’s sacred sovereignty of its sea and islands.  He also affirmed that the 6 submarines are  included on the payroll of Submarine Brigade 189.

Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Viet Nam People’s Navy, asked the crew members of HQ-186 Da Nang and HQ-187 Ba Ria-Vung Tau to uphold their spirit of responsibility, overcome all challenges, and effectively operate their submarines.

Rear Admiral Nam affirmed that the development of the fleet of modern submarines, and the marine security forces as a whole, will help to protect the nation’s sovereignty over its sea and islands, and its continental shelf.

Also at the event, national flags and the flag of the Viet Nam People’s Navy were given to the captains of the 2 new vessels.

Here are some photos from the flag-raising ceremony for HQ-186 Da Nang, taken by reporter Viet Dung from DA NANG Newspaper.

A scene from the flag-raising ceremony

The national flag waving in the wind

Prime Minister Phuc, along with some Da Nang leaders, congratulating the submarine’s crew members

Prime Minister Phuc (centre) with representatives of the Viet Nam People’s Navy and other government agencies

Prime Minister Phuc, representatives of national government agencies and the Da Nang authorities, and the submarine’s crew members

Secretary Anh, Deputy Secretary Tri, and some crew members

Crew members presenting a picture of HQ-186 Da Nang to the city leaders

Secretary Anh (right) congratulating the captain of the submarine

The city leaders and some of the crew members

A helicopter flypast during the ceremony