Gepard class frigates (photo : Militaryphotos)
Russian-made frigate Gepard 3.9 built under order of Vietnamese Navy was launched in Tatarstan. The ship developed in 2003 was constructed by shipwrights of Zelenodolsky Zavod named after A.M. Gorky, informs ITAR-TASS.
In total, Vietnamese Navy ordered two Gepard frigates; the second one will be delivered to the customer in 2010. The length of Gepard makes 102 meters, displacement is 2,100 tonnes. The ship's crew is up to 100 men.
Gepard new design (photo : Militaryphotos)The frigate is armed with Uran-E antiship missile system, 76.2-mm gun mount AK-176M, Palma anti-aircraft artillery system and two 30-mm gun mounts AK-630M. The heliport for Ka-28 or Ka-31 is also provided at the deck of Gepard.
Delivery contract of two frigates for Vietnamese Navy was signed in 2006. Gepard 3.9 will pass mooring trials early spring 2010 and sea trials – in May 2010, explained representatives of Zelenodolsky Zavod to Interfax. Vietnamese party will receive the ship in autumn.