Vietnam’s third Varshavyanka-class submarine to be floated out this month*

Russia's Admiralty Shipyards will float out the Vietnamese Navy's third of six Varshavyanka-class submarines, Stary Oskol, later this month, Admiralty Shipyards announced.
In December 2009, Vietnam's Defence Ministry awarded a $2bn contract to Russia to deliver a total of six submarines to strengthen its naval capabilities and better defend the country, according to RIA Novosti.

Under the contract, Russia will also provide training for the Vietnamese submarine crews, while deliveries of the submarines are scheduled to be complete by 2016.
The Varshavyanka-class boats are integrated with advanced stealth technology to provide strike land, surface and underwater targets at extended combat ranges.

Equipped with 533mm torpedo tubes, the boats are also armed with torpedoes, mines and Kalibr 3M54 cruise missiles to support anti-shipping and anti-submarine missions in shallow waters.

The 3,100t submarines are capable of accommodating a crew of 52 and are currently under construction at the Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Capable of cruising at a speed of 20k, the submarines can also conduct missions such as coastal defence, mine laying, general reconnaissance and patrol operations, according to USNI News.
In August 2010, the first Varshavyanka-class submarine Novorossiisk was laid down and also successfully completed 100-day sea trials last month.
Earlier, Admiralty Shipyards in a statement, said: "The vessel showed excellent maneuverability and reliable work of all mechanisms during the trials."

Novorossiisk is scheduled to be delivered to the Vietnamese Navy in November 2013 while the construction on the second vessel Rostov-on-Don began in November 2011.
Admiralty Shipyards said the Russian Black Sea Fleet's first of another six Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines will also be floated out in November 2013.

*Notícia publicada a Naval Technology. La Marina del Vietnam continua endavant amb el seu programa d'adquisició de submarins. Caldrà veure si seran prou dissuasoris per la Xina.