Vietnam Starts Build Project 12418 "Molnya"

Molnya missile corvette (photo : ttvnol)

Vietnam has started mass production of missile boats Molniya Project 12418 under license purchased from Russia

MOSCOW, (ARMS-TASS) Vietnam has started serial production of 10 missile launches a Molniya Project 12418 under licenses acquired from Russia.

Production commenced in the contract for purchase of 12 boats of this type, the first two of which were built in Rybinsk and transferred to Vietnam in 2007-2008. About this ARMS-Tass learned at the international exhibition "Interpolitech", opened today in the OCE in Moscow.

Currently, the Vietnamese shipyard laid the first boat, currently under construction on the design and technological documents transmitted to the Vietnamese side of the St. Petersburg Central Maritime Design Bureau (IKBB) "Almaz", where a project 12418.

The Russian side is also responsible for the technical supervision of construction and provides all the necessary consultations.

All Vietnamese boat building will be equipped with both domestic and foreign equipment.

As previously reported ARMS-Tass Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS Russia), Mikhail Dmitriev, between Russia and Vietnam is an agreement for licensed production of Russian missile boats, which cost almost reached 1 billion. In addition, in the next few years Vietnam will be delivered two patrol craft "Gepard-3.9", which are built on Zelenodolsk Shipyard.

As emphasized by Mikhail Dmitriev, "Vietnam - a strategic partner of Russia in military-technical sphere, the country is among the top ten states with which Russia has the most large-scale cooperation."

Read More

Taiwan Displays Plans For Missile-Carrying Corvette

Taiwan's high-tech 1,000 ton missile corvettes (photo : Militaryphotos)

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan has unveiled the first images of a high-tech missile corvette specifically designed to counter the threat of China acquiring an aircraft carrier, officials and media said April 12.

A computerized graphic of the 1,000-ton "carrier killer," which has so far been kept secret from the public, has gone on display at Taipei's military museum, run by the defense ministry.

The vessel will be capable of cruising at speeds of up to 34 miles (55 kilometers) per hour and boast technologies helping it to evade radar detection, the Taipei-based Apple Daily reported, citing military officials.

The Taiwanese Navy hopes to arm the corvette with Taiwan's home-grown Hsiungfeng III supersonic ship-to-ship missile, according to the report.

The military museum did not provide any details, while the defense ministry declined to comment on the report.

The report came after the head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, Tsai Teh-sheng, told parliament in November that China has started building its first aircraft carrier.

Taiwanese military analysts expect China to need at least 10 years to build its first operating carrier group complete with carrier-based fighters and other warships.

But they warn that once the Chinese arms build-up is completed, it will have a far-reaching strategic impact on the region.

Ties between China and Taiwan have improved markedly since China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became the island's president in 2008, vowing to adopt a non-confrontational policy toward the mainland. But China still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

Read More