Visible Differences of Two Batch Gepard of Vietnamese Navy

27 Oktober 2020

Gepard batch two (front) and batch one (behind) of Vietnamese Navy (photo : QDND)

Recently published photo of the 162nd Brigade at sea from the online newspaper of the Vietnam People's Navy that demonstrates the visible differences between the first pair of Vietnamese Project 1166.1E "Gepard 3.9' frigates from the second batch.

The frigate Quang Trung (016) features 533mm torpedo tubes mounted on the sides for ASW purposes. This is a feature not included in the Đinh Tiên Hoàng (011) in the background...and makes the first two "frigates" realistically just large missile-equipped OPVs.

Although the Gepard-class design lacks an enclosed hangar this was rectified in Đinh Tiên Hoàng along with her sister frigate Lý Thái Tổ (012). Hangar extensions were added to their half exposed helicopter space but there still seems to be some mechanical issues with the door closing all the way. Quang Trung and Trần Hưng Đạo (015) still have half-exposed hangars - it's unknown whether or not they will receive the same upgrade as the first 2 frigates.

All retain the same air defense layout in the form of 2 AK-630 CIWS and a single Palma mixed gun-missile CIWS system.

(VietDefense)