Heavy lift vessel Rolldock Sea, carrying the fifth Kilo submarine that Russia built for Viet Nam, has left St. Petersburg for Cam Ranh port in Viet Nam, Sputnik International reported on December 17.

This is the sixth diesel-powered 636 Kilo-class submarine that Viet Nam purchased from Russia to modernise and enhance the capacity of its navy forces to defend the country's territorial waters.

The Viet Nam People’s Navy has already received four submarines: HQ-182 Hanoi, HQ 183 Ho Chi Minh, HQ-184 Hai Phong and HQ-185 Da Nang.

The last submarine HQ-197 Ba Ria-Vung Tau was launched on September 28.

Russia signed a contract to supply six 636 Varshavyanka Kilo-class submarines worth US$2 billion for Viet Nam People’s Navy in 2009. The contract included training crew and supplying necessary equipment.

Having a displacement of 3,000-3,950 tonnes, the 73.8m long submarine can operate at a maximum depth of 300 metres and at a range of 6,000-7,500 nautical miles for 45 days and nights with 52 crew members.

Armed with cruise missiles, this diesel-electric stealth submarine is believed to be the quietest in the world and so was dubbed ‘black hole’ by NATO.

(Source: english.vov.vn)