Sina: Japan will Sell Osumi LST to Vietnam?

09 September 2016

Osumi class LST (photo : Seaforces)

China's Sina report that Japan can provide Osumi class amphibious ships of the Vietnam country with huge loans. 

According to Sina, in recent years the Vietnam People's Navy is increasingly creating a lot of attention, not only with efforts such as procurement systems equipped with new missiles, warships of the water, but efforts developing amphibious capability.

However, Vietnam is a lack of armament in order to meet the requirements of modern warfare, such as the Navy Vietnam now only the old amphibious tanks PT-76 and armored vehicles, BTR- 50 for amphibious missions. Meanwhile, the amphibious ships of the Vietnam today as LST-542 USSR, Polnocny B (Project 771) of Poland are outdated, limited operational features.

Sina said that Vietnam has access to and learn more about Osumi class amphibious ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) when this ship visit to Vietnam in 2014.


"Osumi class amphibious ship has a simple design, reasonable price, good performance, can carry more troops and armament, especially the amphibious tanks to conduct amphibious task, vessel can meet the combat missions of Navy Vietnam ", Sina comment.

Three amphibious ships of the Vietnamese Navy Project 771 are already quite old. (photo : Kienthuc)

Osumi is often called the lander, but in fact, this is a multi-functional ship, vessel deck for helicopters, weighing up to 14,000 tons full load, the ship has a length of 178 meters, almost 26 meters wide , draft of 6 meters, a crew of 138 people. The ship is equipped with radar reconnaissance system OPS-14C air, water reconnaissance radar-28D OPS, OPS-20 radar positioning, total area of ​​3604 square meters.

The ship is equipped with two diesel engines nearly 27,000 horsepower, with a degree of about 22 knots / hour. Fire aboard two Phalanx CIWS pedestal flak 20mm and 12.7mm machine gun M2 2, and 4 decoy launching system.

In theory, the ship can carry up to 330 troops, with 10 tanks, 2 hovercraft for amphibious task.

Osumi class amphibious ships designed with simple, convenient, of course, is not the best design of the Japanese people, but it is very suitable for combat mission requirements of the Vietnam People's Navy , according to Sina.

Notably, in recent years, Japan has partially lifted restrictions on the export of equipment and weapons, and they were willing to participate in the global arms market, especially in Vietnam South, which are in great demand. Japan not only provide financing more and more, but they also can discount sales, not even for some weapons equipment. Japan has been providing patrol boats to the Philippines and some other equipment, while they can also provide financing to sell to the Navy ship Osumi Vietnam.

The sources also said that Sina is, Japan is planning to invest heavily armed for Vietnam. Japan prepared Cranes ship Osumi and will transfer to the Vietnam. If this becomes a reality, the amphibious capability of the Vietnam People's Navy was raised to a new level.

(Kienthuc)