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The last Kilo submarine has arrived.

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perfect :-)

waiting to unload the baby that will carry some nice surprises on-board including Kalibr cruise missiles against ships and land targets for anyone that is keen on confrontation. we should acquire one more submarine squadron, supporting Russia´s military industrial complex :D



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Industry
Russia's Kamaz plans Vietnam expansion
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
20 January 2017


Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz is planning to expand its operations in Vietnam with a view to penetrating export markets in Southeast Asia, Kamaz Director General Sergey Kogogin has told the Russian state-owned Tass news agency.

Kogogin said that in 2016 Kamaz sold 1,855 trucks to Vietnam, or 20% of the company's total exports. He added that on an annual basis around 30% of its exports to Vietnam - or, in 2016, about 556 trucks - are delivered to the Vietnam People's Army (PAVN).

As a result of a free-trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, which came into effect in October 2016, Kogogin said Vietnam is "becoming more attractive" and that the company is better positioned to export its trucks to regional countries, particularly Cambodia and Laos.
 
The Germans are offering their Type-214, contact has been made.

And I'll leave it there :woot:

I used to hear a rumor about VN being interested in the new type 26 sub from Sweden that is under development. Have you heard anything on that?
 
I used to hear a rumor about VN being interested in the new type 26 sub from Sweden that is under development. Have you heard anything on that?
I would rather see Vietnam acquires the technology of building the Kilo, so we could produce as many subs as we want. Acquiring German submarine has pro and con. they are much more expensive and have less weaponry on-board then of Russia. unless, Vietnam intends to follow Israel military doctrine, acquiring a squadron of German submarines equipped with stealth feature, fuel-cell, AIP, enlarged torpedo tubes for firing nuclear missiles. for nuclear retaliation. I think, as the US has their hand over Germany, such a deal would require a go-ahead of both the US administration and US Congress. am not saying conventional german sub is bad :-)
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I would rather see Vietnam acquires the technology of building the Kilo, so we could produce as many subs as we want. Acquiring German submarine has pro and con. they are much more expensive and have less weaponry on-board then of Russia. unless, Vietnam intends to follow Israel military doctrine, acquiring a squadron of German submarines equipped with stealth feature, fuel-cell, AIP, enlarged torpedo tubes for firing nuclear missiles. for nuclear retaliation. I think, as the US has their hand over Germany, such a deal would require a go-ahead of both the US administration and US Congress. am not saying conventional german sub is bad :-)
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Swedish subs are quite cheap and very lethal. They can be modified to carry calibr missiles. It would be easier to get full tech transfer with them as part of a deal where some subs are purchased and some are built under license. Its not easy to get tech transfer from the Russians.
 
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Swedish subs are quite cheap and very lethal. Then can be modified to carry calibr missiles. It would be easier to get full tech transfer with them as part of a deal where some subs are purchased and some are built under license. Its not easy to get tech transfer from the Russians.
if the swedes agree we can build submarines in our shipyards then I won´t say NO :D
 
Belarus plans to exchange space information with Vietnam
Society 20.01.2017 | 15:55

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Sergei Zolotoi

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Belarusian satellite BKA-1


MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) – Belarus plans to use its satellite as part of a cluster with the satellites of Vietnam and Kazakhstan, Sergei Zolotoi, Director of the R&D enterprise Geoinformation Systems of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, told a press conference hosted by BelTA on 20 January.

“We are currently in talks with Vietnam and Kazakhstan on the operation of our satellites in the cluster. If all the issues are settled, we will be able to exchange space information,” said Sergei Zolotoi. He stressed that the operation of satellites in a cluster is a global tendency.

Vietnam is interested in monitoring the islands situated on the border with China. “Vietnam has its satellite, which is similar to ours. It was launched by France. There are technical problems, however, as the technology installed on the Vietnamese spacecraft by the Europeans does not make it possible to integrate with other satellites. Besides, Vietnam has its legislative constraints. They do not have the right to sell or pass the information from their satellite to anybody. If we reach a consensus here, we will be able to organize an exchange of space information,” said Sergei Zolotoi.

Belarus is also in talks with Kazakhstan. “Kazakhstan has two satellites on orbit. We expect that the intergovernmental agreement on space cooperation with Kazakhstan will be signed and ratified in the near future. The agreement was worked out a year ago. It will open up room for closer cooperation between the two countries,” Sergei Zolotoi said.

He also spoke about outer space activities in cooperation with Velezuela. Belarus is implementing a project for Venezuela. The project envisages the observation of soil erosion at the seaside. “We compared the materials produced in 1953 with the information received from the satellite in 2016. We saw that a sufficiently large territory has been affected due to erosion. This is the matter for interstate regulation. The project got great response,” said Sergei Zolotoi. In his words, another project for Venezuela is under consideration. Belarus may be tasked with monitoring the country's hardly accessible areas.

http://eng.belta.by/society/view/be...formation-with-vietnam-kazakhstan-98108-2017/
 
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Russian ‘military experts’: The Bigfoot sightings of the Vietnam War
BY SOFREP 01.20.2017

https://sofrep.com/72846/russian-military-experts-bigfoot-sightings-vietnam-war/

It was a bit like Bigfoot; lots of rumors and claims of sightings, but spotting a Soviet troop in Southeast Asia was a rare event. Throughout the 69-year existence of the Soviet Union (1922-1991), it was acceptable in most realms to use Russia as a synonym for the Soviet Union. Likewise, Russians for Soviets. True, the Russian republic comprised two thirds of the Soviet Union, Russian was the official language, and Russians dominated the government. But less than half of the population were actually Russian. The other 14 republics were comprised of dozens of nationalities and ethnic groups. United under totalitarian communist rule, the Soviet Union was a superpower and made no bones about its ultimate goal: to eventually spread communism throughout the world by any means possible. It was in their written doctrine, the public speeches made by their leaders, and was followed up by their actions.

Support for communist movements across the globe via political support and arms was expected and maintained. Their progress was steady. From 1922 until 1983, each and every country that fell to communist control remained within that sphere. Post-WWII, the major democracies attempted to thwart this growth in every way possible short of launching an all-out war with the Soviet Union and its allies. It was widely accepted by both sides that such a war might well begin as a conventional conflict, but as soon as one side began to lose, it would escalate to chemical warfare, then tactical nuclear weapons would be employed. Finally, inevitably, an all-out thermonuclear exchange would occur, destroying civilization as we know it. This is the mutually assured destruction (MAD) doctrine that has been in place 50+ years. The Soviets refrained from getting too aggressive but remained resolute that “world communism” would someday win out. It was an all-out game of chess with freedom and/or the survival of the world at stake. It was the Cold War era.

Regional conflicts, guerrilla wars, brush wars, and “police actions” were the name of the game as former colonies fought for their independence and dictators in Third-World countries were deposed in revolutions. It was the U.S. against Soviet-supported communists in most of these hotspots, the two forces engaged in a delicate dance. Fight hard, but not too hard. Difficult for politicians, challenging for spooks, and impossibly frustrating for warriors. Enter Southeast Asia following the exit of imperial Japan. Bordering Vietnam to the west is Laos, which fought a civil war from 1953 to 1975. It is poor, heavily forested, mountainous, and has very few roads. It’s an incredibly remote and difficult country to navigate. The U.S. supported the Laotian government while communist guerrillas were supported by the Soviet Union and North Vietnam.

In 1962, a non-interference treaty was signed to keep both sides from escalating the conflict. Yet both continued—quietly. It was the “secret war” everyone knew about, but no one officially admitted. We secretly supplied weapons, training, communications, and logistical support through various means with the most famous being the CIA’s Air America. While the film of the same name was a decent comedy, it unfairly portrayed the operation and its personnel as silly, outlandish, and corrupt. In fact, some of the finest and bravest Americans ever to volunteer and serve wore the civilian uniform of Air America.

Laos was also a major component of the Vietnam War. It was a twilight zone of North Vietnamese troop and supply routes, the Ho Chi Minh trail, guerrilla bases, MACV-SOG missions, neutrals, secret mountaintop listening posts, and relay stations. Today, 41 years after the fall of South Vietnam, American MIAs in Laos include 50 SF and 260 airmen—106 of whom died while supporting SOG missions. We weren’t officially there. But we were. So too were Soviet “military experts,” as they preferred to call themselves. Some were pilots, others were communications experts and observers. The numbers are not clear, but they were not nearly as large as the U.S. presence. Again, neither side wanted an escalation, but both were determined to support their allies.

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One encounter with Soviets in Laos was experienced by SOG team ST Idaho while on a recon mission near the Ho Chi Minh trail in early November, 1968. John Stryker Meyer, the team’s 1-0, explains in his book, “Across the Fence,” how, while on a jungle mountaintop in the middle of the night, as he was switching channels on their PRC-25 radio, he suddenly heard someone speaking Russian. These radios were not very powerful, so he instantly knew the source had to be relatively close. As he continued to listen, another team member witnessed the base of the westerly mountain “light up like a Christmas tree” as a secret drop zone came to life. They soon heard a plane and witnessed the Soviet aircraft release its cargo. It was the rarest of sightings, but it was real.

Many months later, a second, more dramatic encounter occurred with RT Idaho. This time, 1-0 Lynne Black and 1-1 Doug LeTourneau were on a secret mission into the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Vietnam. LeTourneau was monitoring their radio when out of the blue came “RT Idaho. Come in, RT Idaho.” Surprised, he responded. The voice then asked what they were doing. It was spoken in English, but with a heavy Russian accent recognized by Black. He went on to inform them he knew their coordinates and that they were going to be either killed or captured. This conversation lasted over 15 minutes, with startling intel coming from the Russian, including his knowing Black’s and LeTourneau’s names. He also revealed the name of another team member he knew had just gone home. The team was soon extracted under heavy enemy fire. It clearly demonstrated that MACV-SOG had a serious leak, a mole, directly in their inner circle.

Within South Vietnam, rumors persisted for years among snipers that Soviet countersnipers had infiltrated the South to personally test the then-new SVD Dragunov sniper rifles. Men with blue eyes were reportedly spotted with NVA cadre, but no firm evidence ever presented itself. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many archives were opened and individuals felt free to begin telling their stories. During this time, it was officially acknowledged that over 3,000 Soviet soldiers served in North Vietnam during the war. They were designated as “Soviet military experts,” not soldiers, thus permitting the official claim no Soviet soldiers ever served in Vietnam. The vast majority were Ukrainian anti-aircraft artillery troops who manned the various gun and missile sites throughout the North used against American bombers. It became known following Operation Tailwind, in the Bolovens Plains in Laos, that the Soviet crews manned the rapid-fire anti-aircraft artillery used against our aircraft. In their official capacity, they were told they were fulfilling their international duty to protect communism from the “imperialists.” They operated the SA-2 missile and radar tracking stations as well as the various-size AAA guns. Many believed in their mission and are very proud of their service. Others found the mission distasteful. In their racist worldview, they did not appreciate orders to kill whites in defense of Asians, even if it was their duty.

In providing their own personnel for anti-aircraft duties, the Soviets fulfilled two purposes. First, they were able to send their latest and most sophisticated systems to protect the North without the training obligations necessary to prepare the Vietnamese. They were able to keep the systems under their direct control for security as well. While North Vietnam was a Soviet ally, it was not necessarily a trusted ally. North Vietnam was not always forthcoming with their Soviet allies in regards to sharing intelligence. It is easy to assume all the communist countries were solidly united in their goals, but this is just not the case.

During this period, China was at odds with the Soviet Union to the extent that a brief border war was fought for Zhenbao Island in the Xinjiang Region in 1969. According to numerous sources, including Henry Kissinger’s accounts, Soviet nuclear and biological weapon strikes were considered. Soviet supplies and weapons were not shipped through China to Vietnam as early efforts failed. The Chinese diverted and stole much of it. It had to be shipped by sea directly. China and Vietnam also had their differences, dating back centuries. However, China did provide North Vietnam with food, medical supplies, radios, and clothing.

The second reason for Soviet personnel in North Vietnam was self-serving: They could test and evaluate their most sophisticated radars and missiles directly against the best aircraft the Americans had to offer. It was an unparalleled proving ground. In the intelligence community, it is acknowledged that the Soviets would also have had a keen interest in exploiting any advanced U.S. equipment they could acquire. We call them foreign material exploitation (FME) personnel. For this reason, the U.S. refrained from sending certain items into the field. Some special operations historians were at first puzzled by how no decent communication encryption gear was sent along with the teams. It left the teams exposed to a degree, but the loss of such equipment to the enemy was considered a greater risk.

There was at least one significant loss during the war—that of a KW-7 cryptographic code machine. Issued at battalion level, it was lost in battle between the North and South Vietnamese forces. These machines were critical to U.S. operations all over the world and were used by all armed forces as well as the Department of State and major allies. Its acquisition by the Soviets would have been huge, especially in light of the spy John Walker, who at the time was selling U.S. Navy codes for just such a machine to the Soviets.

Beginning in 1968, the U.S. Air Force deployed the F-111A to Vietnam for the first time. This new attack bomber had many top-of-the-line advanced features including terrain-following radar (TFR), which allowed it to fly as low as possible, in all weather, to avoid enemy radar systems. It would have been the Holy Grail for Soviet FME folks. Ten aircraft were lost in North Vietnam and Laos, and circumstantial evidence indicates the enemy did indeed get their hands on at least one crash site. An F-111A escape capsule from Vietnam now sits in a Moscow museum, and evasive witnesses have been a problem for U.S. recovery teams.

The opening of Soviet archives for a period in the 1990s has not been totally conclusive on many aspects of the Vietnam War, but one major question seems clear. In spite of all the rumors and legends, no U.S. POWs were ever sent to the Soviet Union. The Vietnam War was a major battle in the Cold War, and in that context, it made a tremendous impression on Soviet thinking. They generally concluded that if the U.S., Australia, and South Korea were willing to commit such huge resources of equipment and personnel to fighting for some Asian backwater with no substantial resources or strategic value, just imagine the fight they would put up for Western Europe!

Alan R. Wise worked in the intelligence community for 10 years and has been a consultant with the U.S. Air Force. He is active in firearms and survival instruction and currently operates Arktis North America, LLC. As a writer/photographer, he was a regular contributor to Behind The Lines: The Journal of U.S. Special Operations, Armor, National Defense, and the Journal of Defense and Diplomacy magazines. He has authored five military-related books, including one novel, “Caught In The Game.”

This article previously published by SOFREP 05.12.2016
 
Japan’s Emperor Akihito to Visit Vietnam
Emperor’s trip to Vietnam in February follows Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Hanoi

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Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2, 2017. The emperor and empress are scheduled to visit Vietnam and Thailand. PHOTO: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
By PETER LANDERS
Jan. 19, 2017 10:56 p.m. ET


TOKYO—Emperor Akihito will visit Vietnam in late February, Japan said Friday, a trip aimed at cementing ties with a nation that Tokyo sees as part of a regional bulwark against China’s territorial ambitions.

The 83-year-old emperor’s visit to Vietnam, scheduled to take place from Feb. 28 to March 5, follows on the heels of a stop in Hanoi on Monday by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The visit to Vietnam will be the first by an emperor of Japan, the foreign ministry said. Emperor Akihito, who will be accompanied by Empress Michiko, will also stop in Thailand to pay a condolence call over the death in October of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
 
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Congratulation to Donald Trump to officially becoming the president of the United States.

Not too bad. He has come from a long way. Has anyone observed his speech? from shocked to amazed to unprecedented. It seems he is determined to do what he believes it is the right thing decided by God for the people. A hurricane is on the horizon. Anyway, the government of Vietnam signals great flexibility if the US administration wants a better deal for America. Everything in the TPP package can be renegotiable. So everything else. Donald Trump slogans are America first and greatness, we can help him a bit in achieving his goals when he returns Vietnam a favor. America can retain the dominant power in Asia in this century. Not really a bad thing for the people in the western Pacific.
 
Growing India-Vietnam strategic ties will mean a more stable Indo-Pacific
http://www.nerve.in/news:2535003887126
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vietnam on September 2-3, 2016. The visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister after 15 years. Twelve agreements were signed during the visit which included cooperation in outer space, UN peacekeeping, avoidance of double-taxation, cyber security, information technology, information on white shipping and contract for procurement of offshore patrol vessels.

Further, based on the strong relations which have been vindicated during the last 44 years of diplomatic relations and nine years of strategic partnership, both the countries agreed to elevate their current level of strategic partnership to a higher level. The relationship would be upgraded to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which Vietnam currently enjoys with Russia and China.

This is pertinent as it gives an official stamp to the mutual trust exhibited in our training and day-to-day dealings. With regard to the defence issue, there is no doubt that both the countries respect the recent Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and they agree to the freedom of navigation on the high seas.

To further strengthen the defence relationship, Prime Minister Modi extended a $500 million Line of Credit for purchase of defence equipment. The list of equipment to be procured is not exactly known but there is a high probability it could be frigates, submarines or the BrahMos missile. Vietnam during the visit signed a contract with L&T for purchase of four Offshore Patrol Vessels.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi announced a grant of $5 million for the construction of an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. Further to assist surveillance, there will be cooperation in downloading images from outer space to provide real-time picture of activities in Vietnam's area of interest.

Economic issues formed an important aspect of the visit. Enhancing bilateral economic engagement is a strategic objective. Both the countries would do their utmost to increase the bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. This would need immense efforts but can be achieved if both the countries enhance their business interactions and diversify their range of commercial activities. Further, there must be increased two-way investment especially by private investors of both countries.

Prime Minister Modi especially sought contractual facilitation of Tata's Soc Tranh 1320 MW plant at the earliest. Both the countries would do their best to enhance exploration of oil and gas in the new blocks allotted for exploration. Connectivity between both the countries needs to be optimised. There is need for direct non-stop flights, dedicated shipping, and land connectivity to be optimised. This would automatically strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

It was indeed creditable that both the countries exhibited the highest degree of cooperation in regional and international forums. Prime Minister Modi was grateful to Vietnam for consistently supporting India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council. It was further decided that India would support Vietnam's candidature for non-permanent seat for the term 2020-2021 and Vietnam would similarly support India's candidature for the same in 2021-2022. Overall, India and Vietnam relations moved to a higher trajectory during the visit.

India and Vietnam enjoy strong strategic relations which emerged with the First Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence being signed in 1994, the formal Defence Protocol in 2000 and the Strategic Partnership in 2007. Ever since, we have an annual Strategic Defence Dialogue with the Indian Defence Secretary representing India. Considering the intensity of the bilateral relations, the upgradation of these talks to the Ministerial levels would commence.

The Cam Ranh Bay has been often described as one of the jewels of Vietnam. The long protective seaward peninsula, natural inner and outer harbours form what many believe to be possibly the best deep water sea port facility in the entire world. There is also an air force base with excellent runways for state-of-the-art aircraft. The usage of these facilities by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force would help India strengthen its strategic partnership and enable us to undertake actions to protect our assets in the South China Sea. The area is being quietly considered between the two countries.

Based on Vietnam's requirements, India could provide Dornier surveillance aircraft, mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), upgraded T-72 tanks and indigenously manufactured artillery equipment once the same has proved trials and a few old ships of the Indian Navy. Vietnam is currently procuring Offshore Patrol Vessels with the line of credit offered.

Vietnam is impressed with India's missile development and is keen to purchase the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos which could be used on land and sea. The issue merits serious consideration as there are no objections from the foreign joint developer. Vietnam is also keen that opportunity be accorded to train their scientists in missile technology and running of nuclear reactors.

Vietnam admires the professional training of the Indian armed forces and looks forward to assistance in training in the following areas:

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Conversion training for SU-30 pilots of the Peoples Vietnam Air Force by the Indian Air Force
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Submarine crew training of the Peoples Vietnam Navy by the Indian Navy
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Training in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare with the Indian Army
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Training in English language
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang as also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc were frank in strengthening defence relations with India. Vietnam would like to cooperate in the field of training as also gaining knowledge in the field of rocketry and missiles. It would be in India's interest to cultivate Vietnam and cooperate in strategic aspects to dissuade China from undertaking a misadventure.

Vietnam is looking for cooperation with India in areas of outer space. It has already launched two satellites and is planning its own navigation satellites. Cooperation with India would be mutually beneficial to both the countries. India is also setting up receiving stations to enable Vietnam receive downloads from Indian Reconnaissance Satellites on the areas bound by the South China Sea.

Vietnam, along with Japan, forms the two pillars of India's Act East Policy and New Delhi's partnership with Hanoi in the strategic domain is important to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. The Modi government in India is accelerating measures to further strengthen the bonds of friendship. This would lead to better stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

(Major General P.K. Chakravorty (retd) is an Indian Army veteran who served as Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. The views expressed are personal. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org)

--IANS

pkc/vm
 
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There is a recent article In the viet site baodatviet citing a Russian website. Besides deploying the principal weapons S-300 and S-125 against aerial threats, protecting the two major cities Hanoi and Saigon, a series of Buk and Pantsir anti aircraft missile batteries are in place to protect important military installations especially the major naval base Camranh bay.
 
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Most people probably don't know Vietnam and Syria are the only two countries in the world that offer the Navy of Russia to re-supply of oil, water, food and everything including maintenance and rest. The government of Russia just signs an agreement with Syria to expand the naval operations. I won't wonder if Russia will sign similar agreement with Vietnam.

Welcome!
 
Most people probably don't know Vietnam and Syria are the only two countries in the world that offer the Navy of Russia to re-supply of oil, water, food and everything including maintenance and rest. The government of Russia just signs an agreement with Syria to expand the naval operations. I won't wonder if Russia will sign similar agreement with Vietnam.

Welcome!
Unlikely. They left Cam Ranh Naval Base in 2002. Now the base is offered for logistic support and resupply for every navies in the world, not just Russia. It's business now.

Russian Navy might get more privileges but they won't get a permanent base like Cam Ranh before 2002 or Tartus now.

On a side note, here's a video:

 
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