The HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City are two of the sixdiesel-powered 636 Varshavyanka (kilo)-class submarines that Vietnambought from Russia to modernise its navy and enhance its capacity todefend the country’s territorial waters.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stressed thatthis is a milestone marking a new development of the Vietnam People’sNavy and the Vietnam People’s Army at large.
TheGovernment leader reiterated Vietnam’s defence policy of peace andself-defence, adding that its military modernisation aims to defend andprotect the country.
As scheduled, Russia will hand over to Vietnam another submarine, the HQ-184 Hai Phong, within the year.-VNA