Vietnam People's Navy
Encyclopedia
The Vietnam People's Navy (or, commonly, Vietnamese Navy) is part of the Vietnam People's Army
and is responsible for the protection of national waters, islands, and interests of the maritime economy, as well as for the coordination of maritime police, customs service and the border defense force.
in 1954, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam went about creating its own naval forces. In 1955 the Vietnam People's Navy was created with the establishment of the General Directorate of Coastal Defence, it formed the basis for the Navy Operational Command. The primary mission of the Navy was to patrol the coastal areas and the inland waterways.
Throughout the Vietnam War
the role played by the Vietnam People's Navy (or North Vietnamese Navy) was largely unknown to the public. However on August 2, 1964, two North Vietnamese Swatow class patrol boats
attacked the in what became known as the Tonkin Gulf Incident2. The second attack, which the United States
claimed to have occurred on August 4, was dismissed by the North Vietnamese as a fabrication.
The North Vietnamese, however, had maintained their own version of the events which took place. According to official VPN accounts the Maddox penetrated North Vietnamese waters on July 31, 1964, and provoked a battle with the North Vietnamese1. In response to American provocation, three 123K class torpedo boats from the 135th Torpedo Boat Battalion were dispatched to intercept the American destroyer. The resulting clash became known as the 'Battle of Thanh Hoa' in which North Vietnamese "torpedo boats succeeded in driving the Maddox out of Vietnam’s territorial waters, shooting down a U.S. aircraft and damaging another".1
Apart from patrolling territorial waters, the Navy also had the mission of transporting military supplies to support the Vietnam People's Army
and their NLF
ally during the Vietnam War
. On October 31, 1961, a sea route version of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
was established by the North Vietnam Navy, with the 759th Transport Unit responsible for carrying military supplies and other goods for the Communist ground forces in South Vietnam
3. In order to avoid detection by the South Vietnamese and U.S navies, North Vietnamese transport ships were often disguised as fishing trawlers. On February 16, 1965, a 100-ton North Vietnamese trawler from the Transportation Group 125 was discovered at Vung Ro Bay. This led to the creation of Operation Market Time
by the US Navy
to intercept disguised enemy ships.
On April 19, 1972, the North Vietnamese Navy and Air Force participated in the Battle of Dong Hoi off the coast of North Vietnam
. During this battle it was believed that the U.S Navy destroyed a Soviet-made cruise missile
for the first time. The was damaged after an VPAF MiG-17
dropped a 250 lb (113.4 kg) bomb, destroying a 5" aft gun mount.
In the years following the complete withdrawal of U.S and other allied forces, the North Vietnamese went back on the offensive. As part of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign
, the North Vietnamese Navy increased the transportation of military supplies, food and uniform to the Communist forces in the South. When the North Vietnamese Army (NVA
) occupied the northern provinces of South Vietnam in 1975, captured South Vietnamese vessels were pressed into service with the Vietnam People's Navy. On April 29, 1975, ex-South Vietnamese Navy vessels carried North Vietnamese troops to capture the Spratly Islands
. At around the same time the Chinese Navy took over control of the Paracel Islands from the South Vietnamese Navy. These islands are also claimed by Vietnam, however they have no current presence there.
Prior to 1975, the North Vietnamese Navy operated fewer than forty patrol boats along with the coastal junk force. With the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam on April 30, 1975, the Vietnam People's Navy was expanded with ships from the defunct South Vietnamese Navy. Captured vessels included two patrol frigates, over one hundred patrol craft, and about fifty amphibious warfare ships. In the late 1970s the naval infantry (or marines) was formed to be stationed on the areas claimed by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Spratly Islands
. The naval infantry is equipped with PT-76
light tanks, BTR-60
personnel carriers and other weapons.
In 1988, Vietnam People's Navy fought against Chinese Navy at Johnson Reef of Spratly islands.
Inshore Patrol: 8 (+24) HQ-56 class (Stolkraft; 22.4 meter) PB with 1x20mm 4 HQ-37 class (built by Vinashin
) 14 Zhuk class patrol boats (Project 1400M)
Riverine Patrol: 22 PBR
Mark II and 6 PCF
(Swift Boats). These riverine patrol boats are no longer in service.
Mine Warfare: 2 Yurka class fleet minesweepers (Project 266) class MSF
4 Sonya base minesweepers (Project 1265E) class MSC
2 Yevgenya (Project 1258) class MSI
Amphibious Landing Ships: 3 amphibious LST-1/542 class LST 3 Polnocny-B (Project 771) class LSM several LCU-1466 class 10-12 T-4 (Project 1785) class LCM
Transports: 1 HQ-966 class logistics ship AK
Auxiliaries: 1 Sorum class logistics tug (Project 745) ATA 1 Voda (MTV-6/Project 561) AWT 2 Nyrat-2 (Project 376U) diving tenders (YDT)
Missiles: Coastal Defence: P-500 Bazalt/SS-N-12
Sandbox cruise missile Kh-41 Moskit/SS-N-22
Sunburn supersonic anti-ship cruise missile P-800 Oniks/SS-N-26 Yakhont (Bastion ground system) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
Missiles: Shipboard: Kh-35 Uran/SS-N-25 Switchblade 3M-24E subsonic cruise missile (poss, Project 11660 KBO-2000 Gepard) P-15 Termit
/SS-N-2A/B Styx anti-ship missile (PTG craft and patrol ship)
Missiles: Air-launched: Kh-41 Moskit air-launched P-800 Oniks/Yakhont, air-launched version as Yakhont-M Kh-35 Uran Kh-31
AS-17 'Krypton' Kh-59
Kh-59M 3M-54 Klub
Amphibious aircraft: Viking Air
DHC-6 Series 400
Twin-otter
VPN has entered contract with Viking Air
Limited (www.vikingair.com) for total of 6 amphibious planes, which first delivery is scheduled for 2012 and completion of this project is before end of December 2014. Package deal cost 5 Million Canadian Dollar per unit with an additional training provide by Pacific Sky Aviation (www.pacificsky.ca).
VPN acquired two Yugoslav-type small submarines from North Korea in 2001 in mediocre conditions, these vessels are primarily designed for covert coastal surveillance, and will be decommissioned once the Kilo-class submarines are present (2011).
Vietnam Marine Police (a.k.a. Vietnam People's Coast Guard) formed in 1998, is currently an independent unit from the Vietnam People's Navy, which was started in November 2008.
Larger transport ships of the Navy include the Truong Sa class ship which was built by the state-owned shipbuilding firm, Vinashin
.
All pennant numbers start with the prefix HQ which stands for Hải Quân or Navy in Vietnamese, which inherit from the Republic of (south) Vietnam Navy (hải quân Việt nam Cộng Hòa) nomination.
Sources in Rosoboronexport later confirmed that Russia and Vietnam had been negotiating a $3.1 billion deal on the delivery of six Kilo class submarines to the Vietnamese navy for about a year
Vietnam People's Army
The Vietnam People's Army is the armed forces of Vietnam. The VPA includes: the Vietnamese People's Ground Forces , the Vietnam People's Navy , the Vietnam People's Air Force, and the Vietnam Marine Police.During the French Indochina War , the VPA was often referred to as the Việt...
and is responsible for the protection of national waters, islands, and interests of the maritime economy, as well as for the coordination of maritime police, customs service and the border defense force.
History
Following the Geneva ConferenceGeneva Conference
Several international or multinational conferences have been called the Geneva Conference, because they were held in the city of Geneva, Switzerland...
in 1954, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam went about creating its own naval forces. In 1955 the Vietnam People's Navy was created with the establishment of the General Directorate of Coastal Defence, it formed the basis for the Navy Operational Command. The primary mission of the Navy was to patrol the coastal areas and the inland waterways.
Throughout the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
the role played by the Vietnam People's Navy (or North Vietnamese Navy) was largely unknown to the public. However on August 2, 1964, two North Vietnamese Swatow class patrol boats
Shantou class gunboat
The Shantou class gunboat, was a Chinese built gunboat of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy. Known in the United States as the "Swatow" class gunboat; it was based on the Soviet P-6 class torpedo boat. The boat is designated as Type 55A...
attacked the in what became known as the Tonkin Gulf Incident2. The second attack, which the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
claimed to have occurred on August 4, was dismissed by the North Vietnamese as a fabrication.
The North Vietnamese, however, had maintained their own version of the events which took place. According to official VPN accounts the Maddox penetrated North Vietnamese waters on July 31, 1964, and provoked a battle with the North Vietnamese1. In response to American provocation, three 123K class torpedo boats from the 135th Torpedo Boat Battalion were dispatched to intercept the American destroyer. The resulting clash became known as the 'Battle of Thanh Hoa' in which North Vietnamese "torpedo boats succeeded in driving the Maddox out of Vietnam’s territorial waters, shooting down a U.S. aircraft and damaging another".1
Apart from patrolling territorial waters, the Navy also had the mission of transporting military supplies to support the Vietnam People's Army
Vietnam People's Army
The Vietnam People's Army is the armed forces of Vietnam. The VPA includes: the Vietnamese People's Ground Forces , the Vietnam People's Navy , the Vietnam People's Air Force, and the Vietnam Marine Police.During the French Indochina War , the VPA was often referred to as the Việt...
and their NLF
National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam
The Vietcong , or National Liberation Front , was a political organization and army in South Vietnam and Cambodia that fought the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War . It had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized...
ally during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. On October 31, 1961, a sea route version of the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Vietnam through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia...
was established by the North Vietnam Navy, with the 759th Transport Unit responsible for carrying military supplies and other goods for the Communist ground forces in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
3. In order to avoid detection by the South Vietnamese and U.S navies, North Vietnamese transport ships were often disguised as fishing trawlers. On February 16, 1965, a 100-ton North Vietnamese trawler from the Transportation Group 125 was discovered at Vung Ro Bay. This led to the creation of Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time was the United States Navy’s effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War...
by the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to intercept disguised enemy ships.
On April 19, 1972, the North Vietnamese Navy and Air Force participated in the Battle of Dong Hoi off the coast of North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
. During this battle it was believed that the U.S Navy destroyed a Soviet-made cruise missile
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
for the first time. The was damaged after an VPAF MiG-17
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Most MiG-17 variants cannot carry air-to-air missiles, but shot down many aircraft with its cannons...
dropped a 250 lb (113.4 kg) bomb, destroying a 5" aft gun mount.
In the years following the complete withdrawal of U.S and other allied forces, the North Vietnamese went back on the offensive. As part of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign
Ho Chi Minh Campaign
The Hồ Chí Minh Campaign was the final title applied to a series of increasingly large-scale and ambitious offensive operations by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam which began on 13 December 1974...
, the North Vietnamese Navy increased the transportation of military supplies, food and uniform to the Communist forces in the South. When the North Vietnamese Army (NVA
NVA
NVA is a three-letter acronym for:*National People's Army, or Nationale Volksarmee, the army of former German Democratic Republic*Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, a Flemish political party also known as New-Flemish Alliance...
) occupied the northern provinces of South Vietnam in 1975, captured South Vietnamese vessels were pressed into service with the Vietnam People's Navy. On April 29, 1975, ex-South Vietnamese Navy vessels carried North Vietnamese troops to capture the Spratly Islands
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
. At around the same time the Chinese Navy took over control of the Paracel Islands from the South Vietnamese Navy. These islands are also claimed by Vietnam, however they have no current presence there.
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
. The naval infantry is equipped with PT-76
PT-76
The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank which was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Iraq, North Korea and North Vietnam. Overall,...
light tanks, BTR-60
BTR-60
The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers. It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen first time in public in 1961...
personnel carriers and other weapons.
In 1988, Vietnam People's Navy fought against Chinese Navy at Johnson Reef of Spratly islands.
Fleet
In addition to the VPN Naval Infantry, the Vietnam People's Navy currently operates:| Class or name | Builder | Type | Quantity | Service Date | Armament | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gepard class frigate | Yantar/Zelenodolsk Design Bureau |
Frigate Frigate A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"... |
2 | in active | 8 Kh-35 Uran missile SS-N-25 1 x 76.2 mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun 2 x 30 mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun 1 Palash Close-in weapon system Close-in weapon system A close-in weapon system , often pronounced sea-whiz, is a naval shipboard point-defense weapon for detecting and destroying at short range incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft which have penetrated the outer defenses.... 4 x 533 mm torpedo tubes 1 RBU-6000 12-barreled Anti-Submarine rocket launcher 12-20 mines |
HQ-011 Dinh Tien Hoang HQ-012 Ly Thai To |
| Petya class frigate Petya class frigate The Petya Class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates built for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s. The Soviet Designation was Storozhevoi Korabl Project 159.-Design:... |
Yantar |
Frigate Frigate A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"... |
5 | in active | 4 x 76mm guns (2x2) 4 RBU 6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers 5 x 406mm anti-submarine torpedo tubes |
HQ-13 HQ-15 HQ-17 HQ-09 HQ-11 |
| Improved Kilo class Kilo class submarine The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated as Improved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in... |
Admiralty Shipyard |
Submarine Submarine A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability... |
6 | 2014-2019 | 6 x 553 mm torpedo tubes 18 torpedoes 3M-54 Klub 3M-54 Klub The Russian 3M-54 Klub is a multi-role missile system developed by the Novator Design Bureau. Its NATO reporting name is SS-N-27. Both submarine and surface ship launched versions exist. The system is designed to accept various warheads, allowing its use against surface and subsurface naval... anti-ship missiles 24 mines 8 SA-N-8 Gremlin or 8 SA-N-10 Gimlet Surface-to-air missiles |
|
| Yugo class | Submarine Submarine A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability... |
2 | to be decommissioned in 2012 | |||
| Tarantul class corvette Tarantul class corvette The Project 1241.1 Molniya are a class of Soviet missile corvettes. They have the NATO reporting name Tarantul... Molniya class Project 1242.1/1241.8 |
Almaz Central Design Bureau |
Corvette Corvette A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role... |
6 | in active (more on order) | 16 Kh-35 Uran missile SS-N-25 1 x 76.2 mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun 2 x 30 mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun |
HQ-336, HQ-362, HQ-375, HQ-376, HQ-389 |
| Tarantul class corvette Tarantul class corvette The Project 1241.1 Molniya are a class of Soviet missile corvettes. They have the NATO reporting name Tarantul... Project 1241 |
Almaz Central Design Bureau |
Corvette Corvette A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role... |
7 | in active | 4 P-15 Termit P-15 Termit The P-15 Termit is an anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union's Raduga design bureau in the 1950s. Its GRAU designation was 4K40, its NATO reporting name was Styx or SS-N-2. In Russian service today it also seems to be called the Rubezh... Rubezh missile SS-N-2 1 x 76.2 mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun 2 x 30 mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun |
HQ-371, HQ-372, HQ-373, HQ-374, HQ-377, HQ-378, HQ-381 |
| Tarantul class corvette Tarantul class corvette The Project 1241.1 Molniya are a class of Soviet missile corvettes. They have the NATO reporting name Tarantul... Pauk class Project1241.2 |
Almaz Central Design Bureau |
Corvette Corvette A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role... |
1 | in active | 8 Kh-35 Uran missile SS-N-25 1 x 76.2 mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun 2 x 30 mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun |
HQ-381 |
| Sigma class corvette Sigma class corvette - Modular design :The basic design of the Sigma Patrol Series can vary as the hull segments are designed as components. Ships can vary in the number of hull segments and in the order in which they are placed. Sigma stands for Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach... |
Schelde Naval Shipbuilding |
Corvette Corvette A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role... |
4 | to negotiate | ||
| Osa class missile boat Osa class missile boat The Project 205 Tsunami, more commonly known by their NATO reporting name Osa, are a class of missile boats developed for the Soviet Navy in the early 1960s. The Osas are probably the most numerous class of missile boats ever built, with over 400 vessels constructed for both the Soviet Navy and for... |
Patrol Patrol A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :... |
8 | in active | 4 P-15 Termit P-15 Termit The P-15 Termit is an anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union's Raduga design bureau in the 1950s. Its GRAU designation was 4K40, its NATO reporting name was Styx or SS-N-2. In Russian service today it also seems to be called the Rubezh... Rubezh missile SS-N-2 |
HQ-353, HQ-354, HQ-355, HQ-356, HQ-358, HQ-359, HQ-360, HQ-361 | |
| Turya class torpedo boat Turya class torpedo boat The Turya class is the NATO reporting name for a class of hydrofoil torpedo boats built for the Soviet Navy and Soviet allies. The Soviet designation was Project 206M.-Design:... |
Patrol Patrol A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :... |
6 | in active | 4 x 533mm torpedo tubes | HQ-307, HQ-331, HQ-332, HQ-333, HQ-334, HQ-335 | |
| Shershen class torpedo boat Shershen class torpedo boat The Shershen class was the NATO reporting name for a class of torpedo boats built for the Soviet Navy and allies. The Soviet designation was Project 206 Shtorm.-Design:... |
Patrol Patrol A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :... |
4 | in active | PTF with 2 twin 30 mm AK-230, 4 fixed 533 mm TT, 4 Shershen class have been fitted with 1x4 Fasta-M SR-SAM | HQ-305, HQ-306, HQ-311, HQ-312, HQ-358 HQ-5011 (coast guard vessel) |
|
| Svetlyak class patrol boat Svetlyak class patrol boat Svetljak class patrol boats are designed to carry out a variety of missions, from patrol missions to prevent violations of maritime state border, to protect friendly vessels and facilities from enemy surface and air attacks... |
Patrol Patrol A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :... |
4 | in active | 1 x 76.2mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun, 4 x 4(16) Ingal-M SR-SAM, 1 x 30mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun, 1xAGS-17 grenade launcher |
HQ-261, HQ-262, HQ-263, HQ.? | |
| TT-400TP gunboat | Patrol Patrol A patrol is commonly a group of personnel, such as police officers or soldiers, that are assigned to monitor a specific geographic area.- Military :... |
1 | in active | 1 x 76.2mm AK-176 AK-176 The AK-176 is a Soviet naval gun mounted in an enclosed turret, that may be used against sea, coastal, and aerial targets, including low flying anti-ship missiles. The system is designed to arm small displacement ships and comprises the Gun Mount with a MR-123-02/76 Fire Control Radar System... main gun, 1 x 30mm AK-630 AK-630 The AK-630 is a Soviet fully automatic naval close-in weapon system based on a six-barreled 30 mm Gatling gun. It is mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and directed by radar and television detection and tracking. The system's primary purpose is defense against anti-ship missiles and other... gun |
HQ-272 | |
Inshore Patrol: 8 (+24) HQ-56 class (Stolkraft; 22.4 meter) PB with 1x20mm 4 HQ-37 class (built by Vinashin
Vinashin
Vinashin is a state-owned shipbuilding firm in Vietnam. Vinashin was one of Vietnam's leading industrial concerns, and entered into a partnership with Damen, Kongsberg, and Hyundai. Vinashin was heavily indebted, and executives have been arrested for mismanagement. but it has been claimed that...
) 14 Zhuk class patrol boats (Project 1400M)
Riverine Patrol: 22 PBR
Patrol Boat, River
Patrol Boat, River , or PBR, is the United States Navy designation for a small rigid-hulled patrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until the end of 1971...
Mark II and 6 PCF
Fast Patrol Craft
Patrol Craft Fast , also known as Swift Boats, were all-aluminum, long, shallow-draft vessels operated by the U.S. Navy, initially to patrol the coastal areas and later for work in the interior waterways as part of the Brown Water Navy to interdict Vietcong movement of arms and munitions,...
(Swift Boats). These riverine patrol boats are no longer in service.
Mine Warfare: 2 Yurka class fleet minesweepers (Project 266) class MSF
Yurka class minesweeper
The Yurka class were a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and export customers between 1963 and 1970. The Soviet designation was Project 266 Rubin.-Design:...
4 Sonya base minesweepers (Project 1265E) class MSC
Sonya class minesweeper
The Sonya class were a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and Soviet allies between 1971 and 1991. The Soviet designation is Project 1265 Yakhont.-Design:...
2 Yevgenya (Project 1258) class MSI
Yevgenya class minesweeper
The Yevgenia class are a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and export customers between 1967 and 1980. The Soviet designation was Project 1258 Korund.-Design:These were small minehunters built for inshore work...
Amphibious Landing Ships: 3 amphibious LST-1/542 class LST 3 Polnocny-B (Project 771) class LSM several LCU-1466 class 10-12 T-4 (Project 1785) class LCM
Transports: 1 HQ-966 class logistics ship AK
- 2 BD-621 class logistics ship AK
Auxiliaries: 1 Sorum class logistics tug (Project 745) ATA 1 Voda (MTV-6/Project 561) AWT 2 Nyrat-2 (Project 376U) diving tenders (YDT)
- 2 floating drydocks (YFDL) 2 PO-2 (Project 376) YFL 2 ex-US 53-meter harbor tankers (YO) - lilely ex-USN YOG-5 Class Gasoline Oiler 2+ Chaolocco tugs (YTM)
- 9 or so harbour tubs (YTL)
Missiles: Coastal Defence: P-500 Bazalt/SS-N-12
SS-N-12
The P-500 Bazalt is a liquid-fueled, rocket-powered, supersonic cruise missile used by the Soviet and Russian navies. Developed by OKB-52 MAP , its GRAU designation is 4K80. Its NATO reporting name is SS-N-12 Sandbox. It entered service in 1973 to replace the SS-N-3 Shaddock...
Sandbox cruise missile Kh-41 Moskit/SS-N-22
SS-N-22
SS-N-22 Sunburn is the NATO reporting name for two unrelated Soviet anti-ship missiles. Although the missiles were very different, distinguishing between them is difficult because their ship-mounted launching containers were identical. Confusion was exacerbated by the Soviet practice of mixing...
Sunburn supersonic anti-ship cruise missile P-800 Oniks/SS-N-26 Yakhont (Bastion ground system) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile
Missiles: Shipboard: Kh-35 Uran/SS-N-25 Switchblade 3M-24E subsonic cruise missile (poss, Project 11660 KBO-2000 Gepard) P-15 Termit
P-15 Termit
The P-15 Termit is an anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union's Raduga design bureau in the 1950s. Its GRAU designation was 4K40, its NATO reporting name was Styx or SS-N-2. In Russian service today it also seems to be called the Rubezh...
/SS-N-2A/B Styx anti-ship missile (PTG craft and patrol ship)
Missiles: Air-launched: Kh-41 Moskit air-launched P-800 Oniks/Yakhont, air-launched version as Yakhont-M Kh-35 Uran Kh-31
Kh-31
The Kh-31 is a Russian air-to-surface missile carried by aircraft such as the MiG-29 or Su-27. It is a sea skimming cruise missile with a range of or more and capable of Mach 3.5, the first supersonic anti-ship missile that could be launched by tactical aircraft.There are several variants, it is...
AS-17 'Krypton' Kh-59
Kh-59
The Kh-59 Ovod is a Russian TV-guided cruise missile with a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and 115 km range. The Kh-59M Ovod-M is a variant with a bigger warhead and turbojet engine...
Kh-59M 3M-54 Klub
3M-54 Klub
The Russian 3M-54 Klub is a multi-role missile system developed by the Novator Design Bureau. Its NATO reporting name is SS-N-27. Both submarine and surface ship launched versions exist. The system is designed to accept various warheads, allowing its use against surface and subsurface naval...
Amphibious aircraft: Viking Air
Viking Air
Viking Air Ltd. is a manufacturer of aircraft, as well as aircraft parts and systems, based in Victoria, British Columbia. The company produces new versions of the DHC-6 Twin Otter, upgraded versions of the DHC-2 Beaver, spare parts for older de Havilland Canada aircraft, and components for Bell...
DHC-6 Series 400
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
Twin-otter
VPN has entered contract with Viking Air
Viking Air
Viking Air Ltd. is a manufacturer of aircraft, as well as aircraft parts and systems, based in Victoria, British Columbia. The company produces new versions of the DHC-6 Twin Otter, upgraded versions of the DHC-2 Beaver, spare parts for older de Havilland Canada aircraft, and components for Bell...
Limited (www.vikingair.com) for total of 6 amphibious planes, which first delivery is scheduled for 2012 and completion of this project is before end of December 2014. Package deal cost 5 Million Canadian Dollar per unit with an additional training provide by Pacific Sky Aviation (www.pacificsky.ca).
VPN acquired two Yugoslav-type small submarines from North Korea in 2001 in mediocre conditions, these vessels are primarily designed for covert coastal surveillance, and will be decommissioned once the Kilo-class submarines are present (2011).
Vietnam Marine Police (a.k.a. Vietnam People's Coast Guard) formed in 1998, is currently an independent unit from the Vietnam People's Navy, which was started in November 2008.
Larger transport ships of the Navy include the Truong Sa class ship which was built by the state-owned shipbuilding firm, Vinashin
Vinashin
Vinashin is a state-owned shipbuilding firm in Vietnam. Vinashin was one of Vietnam's leading industrial concerns, and entered into a partnership with Damen, Kongsberg, and Hyundai. Vinashin was heavily indebted, and executives have been arrested for mismanagement. but it has been claimed that...
.
All pennant numbers start with the prefix HQ which stands for Hải Quân or Navy in Vietnamese, which inherit from the Republic of (south) Vietnam Navy (hải quân Việt nam Cộng Hòa) nomination.
Sources in Rosoboronexport later confirmed that Russia and Vietnam had been negotiating a $3.1 billion deal on the delivery of six Kilo class submarines to the Vietnamese navy for about a year
Manpower
The current total manpower of the navy is around 42,000 officers and enlisted personnel including naval infantry [i.e. marines] and other specialised units.See also
- Vietnam Marine Police
- Republic of Vietnam NavyRepublic of Vietnam NavyThe Republic of Vietnam Navy was the naval force of the former Republic of Vietnam from 1955 to 1975. The early fleet consisted of boats from France. After 1955 and the transfer of the armed forces to Vietnamese control, the fleet was supplied from the United States...
- Tonkin Gulf Incident
- Vung Ro Bay IncidentVung Ro Bay IncidentThe Vung Ro Bay Incident refers to the discovery of a 100-ton North Vietnamese naval trawler unloading munitions on a beach in South Vietnam's Vung Ro Bay on February 16, 1965...
- 1988 Spratly Islands naval battle
External links
- Tonkin Gulf Incident - A decisive battle in the Thanh Hoa Sea
- Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Reappraisal 40 Years Later
- Tonkin Gulf Incident – Meeting of heroes (continued)
- The legendary East Sea trail
- Task Force 115
- Analysis of the Battle of Dong Hoi
- Truong Sa Island celebrates 30th anniversary of liberation
- World Navies Vietnam