Vietnam's six Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines purchased from Russia may present a serious threat to the People's Liberation Army Navy's five Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines operating in the disputed South China Sea, reports the Kanwa Defense Review, a Chinese-language military magazine based in Canada.
The fourth Kilo-class submarine, codenamed HQ-185 Da Nang, arrived at Cam Ranh Port in southern Vietnam on June 30. It was launched on March 28 last year at the Admiralty Shipyards in St Petersburg. After a sea trial in the Baltic Sea, the Da Nang began its journey to Vietnam on May 17 aboard a Dutch-registered cargo ship. Vietnam spent a total amount of US$2.6 billion to buy six Kilo-class submarines from Russia in 2009.
After Da Nang, the People's Navy of Vietnam will take delivery of its last two Kilo-class submarines by 2016. The Kilo-class is considered one of the world's quietest diesel submarines. It is designed particularly for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare and could be used against the PLA Navy in the disputed South China Sea according to the Diplomat, an online current affairs magazine based in Tokyo.
When Vietnam's Kilo-class subs begin routine patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin, China's five Type 094 Jin-class ballistic missile submarines based in Hainan's Yalong Bay will face a serious threat. Kanwa Defense Review said the Vietnamese navy could blockade Yalong Bay to prevent the PLA submarines from leaving their base.
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