List of equipment of the Vietnam People's Navy explained

Since the Vietnam War, most of Vietnamese vessels were supplied by the Soviet Union and presently by Russia, while hundreds more were integrated into the navy after it was left over from South Vietnam although many have been decommissioned due to lack of parts. However, due to rising tensions in the South China Sea, many nearby nations such as Japan have shown support in developing Vietnam's Navy and Coast Guard.[1]

The Vietnam People's Navy is the branch of the Vietnam People's Army with the fastest modernization as the Vietnamese government put it as a main priority, with constant improvement to its weapons, munitions and combat capability.

Vessels

ClassImageTypeShipsOriginQuantityNotes
Submarines (6)
Kilo (Project 636.1)Attack submarine6[2] Commissioned 2014–2017. Equipped with Kalibr / Club-S missiles.
Guided-missile frigates (4)
Gepard 3.9 (Project 11661E)Đinh Tiên Hoàng (011)
Lý Thái Tổ (012)
Trần Hưng Đạo (015)
Quang Trung (016)
4[3] 015 and 016 are equipped with anti-submarine capability while 011 and 012 are not.
Anti-submarine frigates / corvettes (7)
Petya-II/-III(Project 159A/AE)Anti-submarine frigate09
11
13
15
17
5[4] Three ASW frigate while two converted to gunboats.
Pohang (batch III)Anti-submarine corvette2[5] ASW corvettes transferred from South Korea.
Guided-missiles corvettes / missile boats / fast attack craft (22)
KhukriGuided-missile corvette[6] 1[7] Under the India's policies of 'Act East' &'Security and growth for all in the region' India gifted his Fully operational Corvette to one friendly foreign country (Vietnam).[8]
Molniya(Project 1241.8)Fast-attack missile corvette[9] 375
376
377
378
379
380
382
383

8[10] 6 built locally.
Tarantul(Project 1241.RE)Guided-missile corvette371
372
373
374
4[11] [12]
BPS-500 381 1 Active duty.
Osa (Project 205U)354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
8 Active duty.
Gunboats / patrol boats (12)
Svetlyak (Project 10412)261
263
264
265
266
267
6 Active duty.
TT-400TP Patrol boat/Gunboat272
273
274
275
276
277
6 Active duty.
Torpedo boats (5)
Turya (Project 206M)331
332
333
334
335
5 Active duty.
Amphibious warfare ships (17)
LST-938 Tank Landing Ship501
503
2 Active duty. The former USS Maricopa County (LST-938) and USS Coconino County (LST-603) which was captured during the Vietnam War.
Polnocny-B(Project 771)Tank Landing Ship511
512
513
3 Active duty.
Hùng Vương Logistic-support landing vessel521
522
2 Active duty.
Damen Roro 5612Roll-on/roll-off logistic-support landing ship526
527
528
529
4Active duty. 3 ships repurchased from Venezuela's order. 1 ship ordered and transferred Vietnam Navy.
LCM-8Landing craftCaptured during the Vietnam War.
LCU 1466Landing craft551
552
553
554
555
556
6Captured during the Vietnam War.
Mines counter-measure vessels (8)
Sonya (Project 1265)861
862
863
864
4 Active duty.
Yurka (Project 266)Minesweeper851
852
2 Active duty.
Yevgenya (Project 1258)Minesweeper2 Active duty.
Transport / logistics support ships (11)
HSV-6613
1 Active duty.
K-122/-123 Transport/Logistics support ship Trường Sa (571)2 Active duty.
Logistics support / hospital shipKhánh Hòa - 01 (561)
996 Transport/Logistics support ship 996 1 Active duty.
Trường Sa Transport/Logistics support ship Trường Sa 01
Trường Sa 02
Trường Sa 03
Trường Sa 04
Trường Sa08
Trường Sa 14
Trường Sa 19
Trường Sa 20
Trường Sa 21
Trường Sa 22.
7 Active duty
Search-and-rescue vessels (4)
Damen RGS 9316Yết Kiêu (927)[13]
1 Active duty.
FET 10-meter Submarine Rescue Vehicle[14] Deep-submergence rescue vehicle1Active duty
Perry® XLX-C Remotely Operated Vehicle[15] [16] Remotely operated underwater vehicle1Active duty[17]
FC-624Fast-react search-and-rescue and patrol vessel924Active duty.[18]
Training vessel (1)
Lê Quý Đôn (286)1 Active duty.

Aircraft

AircraftImageTypeVariantsOriginQuantityNotes
Patrol aircraft (6)
DHC-6 Twin OtterPatrol aircraftDHC-6-400 MPA45[19] Active duty. Three used as Maritime patrol aircraft and three used as transports.
Helicopters (12)
Kamov Ka-27ASW helicopterKa-2867Serve in frigates and patrol vessels around Spratly Islands.
Ka-3280
Eurocopter Super PumaPatrol helicopter17Operating by Vietnam Helicopters
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Orbiter 2Reconnaissance
Insitu ScanEagleReconnaissance56[20]
IAI HeronReconnaissance457

Munitions

ModelImageTypeVariantsOriginQuantityNotes
Torpedo
VA-111 ShkvalunknownEquipped with Kilo-class submarine.
Type 53 torpedo
unknownEquipped with Kilo-class submarine.
Naval Mine
KMP
unknown
UĐMunknown
Radar
P-18 radar
Coast Watcher 100
SCORE-3000
VRS-CSX
Anti-ship missile (AShM)
Kh-35 UranAnti-ship missileKh-35UE, Kh-35EMV, and an domestic upgrade variant from Kh-35UE called “VCM-01” (still developing)[21]
103Active duty.
3M-14/54 Club-SAnti-ship missile3M-54E/E1,3M-14E, 91RE1/RE2 https://s.vnecdn.net/vnexpress/responsive/j/v8/event/kilo_en/images/img/8_2.jpg(50)Equipped in Kilo submarines. 40 on order.[22]
P-15 TermitAnti-ship missileP-15,P-2020Active duty.
P-800 OniksAnti-ship missile(40)Used with the K-300P Bastion-P coastal missile systems.

Soldier's equipment

Gear

NameImageTypeOriginNotes
Helmets
Type A2 HelmetCombat HelmetStandard Issue.
Modular Integrated Communications HelmetCombat HelmetUsed by Naval Infantry Force and Naval Special Operation Force[23]
Vietnamese Pith HelmetHelmetMostly used as training helmet. Sometimes used as a regular hat.
PASGT HelmetCombat Helmet
Limited use. Standard Issue for Naval Infantry Force. They are gradually replacing older helmets in the Army. The Marines uses helmets imported from Israel, as well as domestically produced ones.[24] [25]
Armour body
Armour bodyArmour bodyUsed by Naval Infantry Force and Naval Special Operation Force
Combat Integrated Releasable Armor SystemArmour bodyUsed by Naval Infantry Force
Camouflage patterns
K07 NavyCamouflage PatternFormer standard camo. A variant of the K07 Woodland used by the Ground Forces.[26] [27]
K17 NavyCamouflage PatternFormer standard camo. A variant of the K17 used by the Ground Forces.
K20 NavyCamouflage PatternCurrently being the standard-issued camo. A variant of the K20 used by the Ground Forces.
Naval Duck HunterCamouflage PatternStandard camo for the Naval Special Operation Force and the submarine crews.

Firearms

ModelImageTypeCalibreOriginNotes
Pistol
TT-33Semi-automatic pistol7.62×25mm TokarevStandard issue service pistol. Manufactured locally at the Z111 Factory as the K14-VN. The locally produced version is improved with a longer barrel, and a double-stack magazine that holds an increased capacity of 13 rounds.[28] [29]
MakarovSemi-automatic pistol9×18mm MakarovLimited use.
Stechkin APSMachine pistol9×18mm MakarovLimited use.
Assault rifles
Galil ACEAssault rifle7.62×39mmManufactured locally. Standard issue assault rifle.
IWI Tavor TAR-21Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATOManufactured locally. Used by Naval Infantry Force and Naval Special Operation Force as standard-issue rifle[30] [31] [32]
AK-47Assault rifle7.62×39mmUsed for training. Replaced as the standard-issue rifle by the Galil ACE.
AKMAKMSAssault rifle7.62×39mm
Ak-74AKS-74Assault rifle5.45×39mm
APSUnderwater Assault rifle5.66×39mm MPS with 5.66×120mm steel darts and tracer MPSTUsed by Naval Special Operation Force
Submachine gun
UziSubmachine gun9×19mm ParabellumUsed by Naval Special Operation Force. Manufactured locally at the Z111 Factory.
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVDDesignated marksman rifle7.62×54mmRUsed by Naval Special Operation Force and Naval Infantry Force. Manufactured locally at the Z111 Factory.[33]
PSL (rifle)Designated marksman rifle7.62×54mmRUsed by Naval Infantry Force.
Galil SniperDesignated marksman rifle7.62×54mmRUsed by Naval Infantry Force and Naval Special Operation Force
Machine gun
RPDLight machine gun7.62×39mm
RPK

RPK-74

Light machine gun7.62×39mm
5.56×45mm NATOUsed by Naval Infantry Force and Naval Special Operation Force. Manufactured locally at the Z111 Factory.
DShKHeavy machine gun12.7×108mm
Grenade launcher
M79 grenade launcherGrenade launcher40×46mm grenadeManufactured locally at the Z125 Factory
IWI GL 40Grenade launcher40×46mm SRManufactured locally.Used by Naval Infantry Force
M203 grenade launcherGrenade launcher40×46mm SRManufactured locally
AGS-17Automatic grenade launcher30×29mm grenadeManufactured locally at the Z125 Factory
RPG-7(B-41 in Vietnam)Rocket-propelled grenade40mm HEAT
45mm
MATADORAnti-armour90mm anti-armourUsed by Naval Infantry Force.

Vehicles

VehicleImageTypeOriginQuantityNotes
Tanks
Type 63 (tank)Amphibious light tank
PT-76Amphibious Light tank
T-34Medium tankCoastal and islands defences.
SU-100100mm tank destroyerUnknownUsed by coastal defence forces of PNVN.[34]
Armoured personnel carriers
BTR-60Wheeled armoured personnel carrier
Transport
PTS-MTracked amphibious transport

Artillery

ModelImageTypeVariantsOriginQuantityNotes
Rocket / Missile Artillery
ACCULAR122–160 mm rocket artilleryunknownUsed for coastal defence.[35]
EXTRA306mm rocket artillery20150 km range, used for coastal defence.[36]
OnyxAnti-ship missileSS-N-26 Yakhont10 launcher
40 missiles
Finished negotiation for technological transferring programme. Two K-300P Bastion-P systems in active.
P-5 PyatyorkaCruise missileSS-N-3 ShaddockunknownActive duty. Already self-produced by Vietnam.
P-15 TermitAnti-ship missileSS-N-2 Styx20Active duty. Equipped in Tarantul class ships. Some have been replaced by Kh-35.
Coastal Artillery
SPG-973mm Recoilless gununknown
B-1082mm Recoilless Rifleunknown
B-11107mm Recoilless Rifleunknown
D-20152mm Towed Howitzerunknown
D-30112mm Howitzerunknown
D-4485mm Field gununknown
M-46130mm Field gununknown
SU-100100mm tank destroyerUnknownUsed by coastal defence force.

Former

!Class!Image!Type!Ships!Origin!Quantity!Notes
KomarMissile boatDiscontinued in the 1980s
ShantouGunboatUsed in Gulf of Tonkin incident
P-6 class torpedo boatTorpedo boatT-333, T-336, T-339 China3Used in Vietnam War
BarnegatPatrol boat01 (ex-Absecon)1Captured in 1975.The ship was decommissioned in the 2000s, and the entire system was dismantled.[37]
Edsall classDestroyer Escort03 ex-Forster1Captured during Vietnam War CCB.
YugoMidget submarine North Korea2Decommissioned in 2012
PointPatrol boat1Captured in 1975.Scrapped in Ho Chi Minh City, 1987.
ShershenTorpedo boat Soviet Union165 decommissioned in 2000s7 transferred to Vietnam Coast Guard

Procurement

As the Vietnam People's Navy is responsible for protecting the nation's sovereignty and economic activities at sea, as well to repulse unauthorised foreign vessels intruding into Vietnamese waters, Vietnam's policy has considered the modernisation of the Navy a priority task in the overall military modernisation plan. As stated on 5 August 2011 by Minister of Defence Phùng Quang Thanh:

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Japan gives Vietnam six navy ships. 2014-08-01. 2019-05-04. en-GB.
  2. Web site: 5th Russian-built Kilo-class submarine arrives in Vietnam. Alexander Korablinov. Russia Beyond the Headlines. 9 February 2016. 30 April 2016.
  3. Web site: Vietnamese Navy Gepard frigates. The 4 Gepard frigates are the most… by China_SCS_Info Indo-Pacific Geomill Medium. 15 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Trí Đường . Tàu chiến săn ngầm Việt Nam: 50 năm vẫn chạy tốt! . Tienphong.vn . 2020-02-26 . 2022-03-17.
  5. Web site: Based on photos posted in ASEAN... – MaxDefense Philippines | Facebook . M.facebook.com . 2017-06-07 . 2022-03-17.
  6. News: In a first, India gifts active warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam.
  7. Web site: VISIT OF ADM R HARI KUMAR, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF, TO VIETNAM. PIB. 2023-07-21.
  8. Web site: VISIT OF ADM R HARI KUMAR, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF, TO VIETNAM . 2023-07-24 . pib.gov.in.
  9. Web site: VnExpress. 200 thiết bị quân sự Việt Nam sản xuất được giới thiệu ở Army Games. 2022-01-03. vnexpress.net. vi.
  10. Web site: Việt Nam đóng thêm 4 tàu tên lửa Molniya với vũ khí mới. Vietnamese. VTC News. 30 June 2015. 30 April 2016.
  11. Web site: SIPRI arms transfer database. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 6 November 2013. 29 April 2016.
  12. Web site: 2020-07-24. Điểm lại những vũ khí Nga giúp nâng tầm quân đội Việt Nam gần đây. 2020-08-12. Kienthuc.net.vn.
  13. Web site: Vietnam launches new submarine rescue vessel . . 2019-12-06 . asiapacificdefensejournal.com . 2020-09-02 .
  14. Web site: Maritime. Baird. 2021-06-23. VESSEL REVIEW Highly versatile, deep-diving submarine rescue vehicle for Vietnam People's Navy. 2021-07-06. Baird Maritime. en-US.
  15. Web site: Work Class ROVs. 2021-08-17. Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.. en-US.
  16. Web site: 2019. Perry® XLX-C. Forum Energy Technologies.
  17. Web site: wade. 2020-06-17. Forum's XLX-C ROV Successfully Completes Sea Trials for Vietnam Navy. 2021-07-31. Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2021-07-27. Lữ đoàn 127 đón Tàu 924 về đơn vị an toàn. 2021-08-16. Báo Hải Quân Việt Nam. en.
  19. Web site: World Air Forces 2024. FlightGlobal. 2023. 9 January 2024.
  20. Web site: These US partners in the Asia-Pacific are to receive ScanEagle drones. Yeo. Mike. 2019-06-06. Defense News. en-US. 2019-06-11.
  21. Web site: 2020-05-28 . Vietnam unveils its new VCM-01 anti-ship cruise missile . 2023-09-20 . Navy Naval News Navy Recognition . en-gb.
  22. Web site: Thống kê hợp đồng mua sắm đạn dược của Việt Nam. Vietnamese. Soha News. 9 June 2013. 29 April 2016.
  23. Web site: Theo Quân đội Nhân dân . Trang bị mới của Hải quân Đánh bộ Việt Nam | Vũ khí | trithuccuocsong.vn . Kienthuc.net.vn . 2022-03-17.
  24. Web site: Mũ chống đạn của Quân đội Việt Nam chịu được đạn 9mm. 2019-04-16. netnews.vn.
  25. Web site: VCCorp.vn. Tìm hiểu các loại mũ sắt, mũ chống đạn của QĐNDVN. 2019-04-16. soha.vn. vi.
  26. Web site: tintucvietnam.vn. 2018-03-04. Tìm hiểu về quân phục ngụy trang của quân đội Việt Nam (phần 2). 2019-04-16. Tin tức Việt Nam – Cập nhật tin tức trong nước hôm nay. vietnamese.
  27. Web site: quan-phuc-nguy-trang-ky-thuat-so-cua-viet-nam-co-nhung-uu-diem-nao. 2019-04-17. baomoi.com.
  28. Web site: Sức mạnh dàn súng Việt Nam tự sản xuất. baodatviet.vn. 2019-05-04.
  29. Web site: K14-VN Pistol. 2015-12-19. Modern Firearms. en. 2019-05-04.
  30. Web site: Israel's defense industry targets Vietnam. Yuval Azulai. Globes. 18 July 2012. 25 April 2016.
  31. Web site: Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam. Jon Grevatt. IHS Jane’s 360. 3 February 2014. 25 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20140307055558/http://www.janes.com/article/33334/israel-weapon-industries-to-begin-assault-rifle-production-in-vietnam. 7 March 2014. dead.
  32. Web site: IWI To Produce Weapons in Vietnam. Steve Johnson. 5 June 2013. The Firearm Blog. 29 April 2016.
  33. Web site: 2017-08-17. Vietnam Begins Manufacture of 12.7mm KSVK, Expands Capabilities -. 2021-02-07. The Firearm Blog. en-US.
  34. Web site: 28 September 2015. Báo Tây quan tâm "sát thủ diệt tăng" SU-100 của VN. kienthuc.net.vn.
  35. Web site: VietDefense. 2020-10-03. Facebook. en.
  36. http://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/israel_has_delivered_20_extra_surface-to-surface_guided_rockets_to_vietnam_for_coastal_defence_12602166.html Israel has delivered 20 EXTRA surface-to-surface guided rockets to Vietnam for coastal defence
  37. View the annual editions of Jane's Vessel Fighting since 1976 to keep track of the status of PRVSN Phạm Ngũ Lão (HQ-01) in the Vietnam People's Navy as it is best understood in the West.
  38. Web site: Vietnam Negotiate Buying four Sigma Corvettes from the Netherlands. Tamir Eshel. Defense Update. 23 October 2011. 29 April 2016.
  39. Web site: TT400TP – Tàu chiến "made in Việt Nam". Vietnamese. An ninh Thủ đô. 3 October 2011. 29 April 2016.
  40. News: In a first, India gifts active warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam.
  41. Web site: Hanoi to Purchase Six Kilo Class Russian Submarines. Naval Today. 13 June 2011. 29 April 2016.
  42. Web site: India to supply Vietnam with naval vessels amid China disputes. Sanjeev Miglani. Sui-Lee Wee. Nick Macfie. Reuters. 28 October 2014. 29 April 2016.
  43. Web site: Vietnam Navy receives transport choppers. Vietnamese. Tuổi Trẻ. 25 December 2011. 29 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20120106012041/http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/politics/vietnam-navy-receives-transport-choppers-1.55985. 6 January 2012 . dead.
  44. Web site: VN sẽ có không lực thuộc hải quân. Vietnamese. BBC News. 15 September 2009. 29 April 2016.
  45. Web site: Vietnam; Navy incepts Yakhont coastal missile . Defence Marketing Intelligence . 24 October 2011 . 29 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120424124334/http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2432%3Avietnam-navy-incepts-yakhont-coastal-missile&catid=3%3Aasia&Itemid=56 . 24 April 2012 . dead .
  46. Web site: India ignores China's frown, offers defence boost to Vietnam. Indrani Bagchi. The Times of India. 29 October 2014. 29 April 2016.