VietNamNet Bridge – Phan Boi Tran believes that building a viable combat submarine is well within the capabilities of Vietnam. And he has a plan to do it.

Tran, a descendant of Phan Boi Chau, a celebrated 20th century nationalist, has become the first submarine inventor in Vietnam and South East Asia.

In a talk with reporters, the composite material engineer discussed his invention, the Yet Kieu 1 mini submarine. The vessel is 3.2 meters long, 1 meter high and 1 meter wide, weighs over one ton and has all the functions of a real submarine. It runs on an electric engine which can bring it to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour.

The sub is believed to have higher durability than others in its class, thanks to the composite hull. Tran said he decided to make a hull of composite instead of steel because it is easier and cheaper to make prototypes.

Ninety percent of the submarine’s parts and accessories could be manufactured domestically, claims Tran. The engine was the only thing Tran had to find from overseas sources. However, he says, if Vietnam were to make submarines in large quantities, he would import suitable engine production technology to churn out 100 percent made-in-Vietnam products.

After successful testing in 2010, Yet Kieu has been developed in many versions, which can be used for both civil and military purposes.

Granted, Yet Kieu does have its skeptics. Many think that the manufacture of quality submarines is out of reach of Vietnamese capabilities. Tran has no such qualms, insisting that it is quite possible to turn the mini submarines, now described by some as “mini toys”, into military equipment with high combat efficiency.

“I am not a braggart. As for Yet Kieu, I made the announcement about it only after I finished making it,” he said.

“I am now working on another version of submarine, which is expected to be large enough for a crew of three or four, and capable of remaining underwater for longer periods,” he said.

“I have the solution to turn the mini toys into well-equipped vessels. A solo mini submarine proves to be not really all that useful, but a flotilla of three to four submarines, bearing radar and torpedoes, would be a quite different story,” he explained.

Also, according to Tran, in the event of a sea battle in the future, Vietnam might have to face a force twice as powerful as the US 7th Fleet. “It is quite possible to sink an aircraft carrier with $100,000. I have the answer to the question already,” he maintained.

Tran has submitted his scientific ideas to the Ministry of National Defense. He is awaiting the reply from the ministry. However, Tran plans to set to work right now with the inheritance he is expecting, which is enough to make one sample version for every weapon.

“I will make them with my own money, not the state’s money. If I succeed, the Ministry of National Defense can use the technologies immediately,” he said.

“I am fully responsible for the feasibility of the solutions,” he affirmed.

Dat Viet