This video showcases the strength of Vietnam’s submarine fleet, a vital defense against maritime threats.
Vietnam People’s Navy: A Multi-Dimensional Steel Shield Safeguarding National Maritime Sovereignty
The Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) is a core force in the mission to protect the sovereignty of the nation’s seas, islands, and continental shelf. From its humble beginnings as small patrol units, the Vietnamese Navy has evolved into a modern branch with numerous specialized forces, fully capable of ensuring maritime security and defense, and extending its reach internationally.
SPECIAL OUTLINE
Get an immediate grasp of our article’s core and structure through these key highlights:
Explore the strategic might of Vietnam’s Submarine Force, known as “Ocean Black Holes,” with its modern Kilo-class submarines and potent weaponry.
Discover the robust capabilities of the Surface Vessel Force, including missile frigates, fast attack missile boats, and gunboats for comprehensive maritime defense.
Unveil the extended reach of the Naval Air Force, performing maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare missions.
Learn about the elite Naval Infantry Force, specialized in amphibious operations and securing vital islands and coastal targets.
Understand the protective role of the Coastal Artillery – Missile Force, acting as a “steel shield” from the mainland with advanced anti-ship missile systems.
Grasp the overall strength, strategic deterrence capability, and crucial role of the Vietnam People’s Navy in protecting national maritime sovereignty and contributing to international peace.
HONOR THE VIETNAM PEOPLE’S NAY, A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL STEEL SHIELD, VIGILANTLY SAFEGUARDING NATIONAL MARITIME SOVEREIGNTY AND ENSURING PEACE ACROSS THE SEAS!
Now! Let’s unveil the comprehensive power and strategic significance of Vietnam’s People’s Navy!
1. The Main Maritime Branches of the Vietnam People’s Navy
The Vietnam People’s Navy is organized into specialized branches, forming a comprehensive strength and multi-dimensional combat capability at sea, underwater, and in the air.
Vietnam’s Maritime Guardians
1. Submarine Force: “Ocean Black Holes” – Strategic Latent Power
The 6 Kilo 636 Submarine Fleet: A Formidable Underwater Punch: Vietnam proudly possesses six improved Kilo-class (Project 636 Varshavyanka) diesel-electric submarines manufactured in Russia. These are among the world’s most modern and powerful non-nuclear submarines, nicknamed “Black Holes in the Ocean” due to their extremely quiet operation, making them difficult for enemy sonar systems to detect.
Names: These six submarines are named after major Vietnamese provinces and cities: HQ-182 Hanoi, HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, HQ-184 Hai Phong, HQ-185 Khanh Hoa, HQ-186 Da Nang, HQ-187 Ba Ria – Vung Tau.
Key Features:
Superior Stealth Capability: Their double-hull design and advanced noise reduction technology enable the submarines to operate highly clandestinely underwater.
Diverse and Potent Weaponry: Equipped with 533mm torpedo tubes capable of launching both torpedoes and Kalibr-PL anti-ship cruise missiles (the naval version of Kalibr). The Kalibr missile is renowned for its long range and precision strike capability against surface and land targets.
Endurance: Capable of continuous operation at sea for up to 45 days, allowing for extended patrol, reconnaissance, and combat missions.
Modern Features: Equipped with advanced automated control systems, enhancing combat effectiveness and reducing preparation time.
Operating Unit: The six submarines are assigned to Submarine Brigade 189 of the Vietnam People’s Navy, based at Cam Ranh Naval Base (Khanh Hoa province). This is a special, key unit, prioritized for investment to advance directly towards modernization, ensuring high combat readiness.
Operational Status and Strategic Role: Since receiving all six Kilo submarines by early 2017, the Vietnam People’s Navy has focused on mastering the technology and providing intensive training to maximize the fleet’s power. The presence of the Kilo submarine fleet has significantly altered the naval power balance in the region. They serve as an “underwater steel fist,” possessing strong deterrence capabilities, protecting Vietnam’s maritime interests, islands, and continental shelf. Submarines are ideal for strategic defense operations, clandestine reconnaissance, and can launch surprise attacks, inflicting significant damage on adversaries in a conflict scenario.
Vietnam operates a modern fleet of six Kilo-class submarines, significantly enhancing its naval defense capabilities.
Note: To learn about Vietnam’s Defense Cooperation, please click here!
2. Surface Vessel Force: Diverse and Modernizing
This is the main force for conducting patrol, sovereignty protection, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and air defense missions.
Missile Frigates:
Gepard 3.9 (Project 11661E): Vietnam possesses four stealth frigates of this class (HQ-011 Dinh Tien Hoang, HQ-012 Ly Thai To, HQ-015 Tran Hung Dao, HQ-016 Quang Trung). These are multi-role warships, equipped with Kh-35 Uran-E anti-ship missiles, Igla-1M short-range air defense missiles, naval guns, and anti-submarine systems, capable of operating independently or within a formation.
Petya II (Project 159): A significant number of upgraded patrol and anti-submarine ships, still playing an important role in coastal patrol, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare.
Fast Attack Missile Boats (Corvettes/Missile Boats):
Molniya (Project 12418): Vietnam has partially built and operates many of these high-speed missile boats, equipped with Kh-35 Uran-E anti-ship missiles. They are a fast and effective strike force for coastal operations.
BPS-500 (Project 1241.1M): Similar to the Molniya, this is also a key force in anti-ship combat.
Gunboats – Patrol Boats: A diverse range of small and medium gunboats and patrol vessels, crucial for protecting maritime borders, combating smuggling, piracy, and enforcing maritime law.
The Vietnam People’s Navy’s surface vessel force includes a mix of modern frigates, corvettes, and patrol vessels, primarily for coastal defense and maritime security
Note: To learn about Vietnam’s Military Power, please click here!
3. Naval Air Force:
This is the extended arm of the Navy in the air, performing maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue missions at sea.
Patrol/Anti-Submarine Aircraft:
DHC-6 Twin Otter: Transport aircraft also used for maritime patrol, capable of landing on water.
CASA C-212 Aviocar: Transport/maritime patrol aircraft, supporting maritime surveillance and search and rescue.
Helicopters:
Ka-28: Dedicated anti-submarine warfare helicopter, operating from Gepard frigates.
Mi-17: Multi-purpose transport helicopter, also usable for reconnaissance or search and rescue missions.
The Vietnam People’s Navy Air Force primarily operates helicopters for maritime patrol, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare, along with some fixed-wing aircraft for reconnaissance and transport.
Note: To learn about Vietnam’s Air Defense, please click here!
4. Naval Infantry Force (Marine Corps):
An elite force specializing in amphibious operations, seizing and defending islands, reefs, and coastal targets. They are specially trained to operate in sea and island environments.
The Vietnam People’s Navy maintains a naval infantry force, specialized for amphibious operations, island defense, and coastal assaults.
Note: To learn about Vietnam’s Ground Forces: A “Bronze Foot, Iron Shoulder” Steadfastly Protecting the Homeladn and Contributing to Global Peace. please click here!
Vietnam’s Ground Forces: A “Bronze Foot, Iron Shoulder” Steadfastly Protecting the Homeland and Contributing to Global Peace
5. Coastal Artillery – Missile Force:
This is the “steel shield” from the mainland, protecting the coast and strategic maritime targets.
Coastal Missiles:
Bastion-P (K-300P): Vietnam’s most advanced supersonic anti-ship missile system, capable of striking targets at very long ranges (up to 300km) and posing a significant threat to large enemy naval fleets.
Redut (SSC-1 Sepal) and 4K44B/4K51 Rubezh (SSC-3 Styx): Traditional coastal missile systems, still maintained and upgraded.
Coastal Artillery: Large coastal artillery batteries (such as 130mm M-46, 152mm D-20) are strategically positioned to provide fire support and deter threats from the sea.
Vietnam’s Coastal Artillery-Missile Force employs land-based artillery and advanced anti-ship missile systems to defend its coastline and strategic maritime zones.
Note: To delve into President Hochiminh’s Life Dedicated to Independence, Freedom and Humanity, please click here!
2. Strength and Position of the Vietnam People’s Navy
Strategic Deterrence Capability: The presence of the Kilo submarine fleet combined with the Bastion-P coastal missile system creates a formidable deterrence capability, forcing any adversary to carefully consider their intentions when attempting to infringe upon Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.
Unique Combat Tactics: Based on the tradition of “defeating the many with the few, the strong with the weak,” the Vietnamese Navy develops asymmetric warfare tactics, leveraging the complex terrain of its coastline and archipelagos to maximize weapon effectiveness.
Sovereignty Protection Capability: The VPN plays a crucial role in patrolling, controlling, and defending Vietnam’s sovereign waters, islands, and continental shelf, especially in the East Sea (South China Sea).
International Integration and Peacekeeping: The VPN also actively participates in international cooperation activities such as bilateral/multilateral exercises, delegation exchanges, and recently, contributing to UN peacekeeping missions at sea (through the deployment of staff officers), affirming Vietnam’s role and responsibility in the international community.
Strength Rankings:
In Southeast Asia: The Vietnamese Navy is consistently ranked among the leading naval forces, often within the Top 3 or Top 4 alongside Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. Its submarine capabilities, coastal missile defenses, and modern frigate fleet are significant advantages, creating a strategic edge.
Globally: According to reputable rankings like Global Firepower (GFP), the Vietnamese Navy is a core component helping the Vietnam People’s Army maintain its position among the Top 20-30 overall military powers worldwide. Specifically for naval strength, Vietnam typically ranks within the Top 30-40 globally, depending on the year and specific criteria (which include the total number of warships, not just submarines).
It’s important to note that these rankings are for reference only and often rely solely on quantitative hardware, not fully reflecting the quality, training level, or Vietnam’s unique military art of warfare.
Conclusion:
From the very first steps of its naval force, the Vietnam People’s Navy has continuously grown stronger, becoming a regular, elite, and modern force. With the combined strength of its submarine, surface vessel, naval air, naval infantry, and coastal artillery-missile branches, coupled with its resilience and determination to protect sovereignty, the Vietnamese Navy stands as a strong, steadfast “multi-dimensional steel shield,” safeguarding the nation’s sacred seas and islands and contributing to regional stability.
