Russia Launches Vietnam's First ASW-Variant Gepard Frigate

01 Mei 2016

Vietnam's third Gepard-class frigate, the first of two ASW variants, has been launched. Zelenodolsk Shipyard says that ships three and four in the class remain on schedule for delivery in 2016 (photo : zpravda)

Russia's Zelenodolsk Shipyard has launched the first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the Modified Gepard (Project 11661E)-class guided-missile frigate for the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Navy.

According to Russian and Vietnamese media reports on 28 April, the vessel was launched the previous day at Zelenodolsk's facilities in Tatarstan, in a ceremony attended by senior PAVN Navy personnel.

While the ship will be the first ASW variant, it will be the third Gepard-class frigate to be operated by the PAVN Navy.

(Jane's)