VietNamNet Bridge – Russia is scheduled to hand over the third Kilo Class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) of Project 636 to the Vietnam People’s Navy by the end of this year, reported the Voice of Russia on November 1.

Flag-raising ceremony for HQ-182 Hanoi Kilo Class submarine

The Voice of Russia cited the Russian shipbuilding industry saying that the fourth submarine of this kind will be sent to Vietnam in 2015 after successful test runs.

Under a contract signed in 2009 during a Moscow visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Russia has agreed to build six submarines, dubbed as Black Holes in the Ocean by NATO.

The first two vessels, HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, have been handed over to Vietnam. The first submarine HQ-182 Hanoi successfully made its maiden voyage on January 8, 2014. The second vessel HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City docked at Cam Ranh Bay on March 19, 2014.

The multipurpose diesel-electric submarines of Project 636 belong to the third generation. They are considered one of the quietest in the world, and the submarines can cruise underwater at a speed of 20 knots and has a cruising range of 400 miles.

VOV/VNN