This is the first of six Kilo-class submarines that Vietnam contracted to buy from Russia during Dung’s visit to the country in 2009. Under the contract, the Russian side is also responsible for training sailors and supplying necessary equipment for the submarines.
The Kilo-636 submarine, named Hanoi, was built in Admiralty Verfi Shipyards in St. Petersburg and is being tested near Svetlyi port in Kaliningrad. It has successfully made 23 test dives.
Having a displacement of 3,000-3,950 tonnes, the submarine can operate at a maximum depth of 300 metres and at a range of 6,000-7,500 nautical miles for 45 days and nights with 52 crewmembers. It has the quietest engine in the world and is the best choice for reconnaissance and patrols.
Talking with sailors aboard, the PM expressed his hope that the crewmembers will promote their proactiveness, activeness and creativeness to overcome all difficulties and rapidly grasp modern military technologies so that they can master the ship after it is transferred to Vietnam.
He pledged to create all possible conditions for them to perform their tasks in an exceptional manner.
On behalf of the crew, Captain Major Nguyen Van Quan thanked the Party, State and people for their care for the submarine’s crew in particular and the naval force in general. He said all the crew men are committed to do their utmost to rapidly acquire the latest military technologies and fulfill their assigned missions.
The same day, Dung had a meeting with the press in Kaliningrad, expressing his delight to visit such a peaceful and hospitable city. He affirmed that the Vietnamese people will never forget the support that Russia has given to their country during the past struggle for national independence and unification as well as the current national defence.
He stressed that Russia’s supply of the submarines to Vietnam not only is a trade deal but also reflects the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Dung thanked the Kaliningrad government and people for creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese sailors during their training in the city.
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Trả lờiXóaPress Release
Trả lờiXóaUS Embassy Statement on Dinh Nguyen Kha and
Nguyen Phuong Uyen
May 17, 2013
We are concerned by a Vietnamese court’s sentencing of Dinh Nguyen Kha to eight years in prison and Nguyen Phuong Uyen to six years in prison on subversion charges.
These convictions are part of a disturbing trend of Vietnamese authorities using charges under national security laws to imprison government critics for peacefully expressing their political views.
These actions are inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression and, thus, Vietnam’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and commitments reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We call on the government to release prisoners of conscience and allow all Vietnamese to peacefully express their political views.
On the surface, this corrupt PM came to inspect the new submarine. Behind closed doors, he came to receive a financial kickback (payment) for approving the purchase of this expensive sub whose price tag was well over the price the Russian sold to the Chinese. while the quantum of the "money in the envelope" would be never known, the amount would be at least 20 times his annual official salary. His subordinates in the defense department also received smaller bribes.
Trả lờiXóa