On August 10, 2026, the military-owned Sông Thu Corporation initiated the construction of a new multi-role anti-submarine frigate in Da Nang for the Vietnam People’s Navy. Measuring approximately 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes, the warship represents a pivotal moment in Vietnamese naval strategy as the largest and most technologically sophisticated vessel ever built domestically.
The construction effort operationalizes Vietnam’s maritime-oriented continental grand strategy. According to official defence directives, Hanoi’s long-standing continental mindset is increasingly paired with a recognition of the sea’s importance for national security and economic prosperity. The project aligns with 2030 naval force modernisation guidelines and serves as an operational testbed for indigenous military technology, bridging pragmatic Russian design with homegrown weapon suites.
Shifting Defence Procurement and Strategic Posture
The new frigate marks a transition away from Russia as a traditional supplier, driven by problems in that country’s defence industry. Since the early 2000s, Hanoi has focused its strategic attention eastward. The 2019 White Defence Paper prioritized the immediate modernization of the Navy within strict budget limits to counter high-intensity naval threats—primarily from China—without compromising readiness along continental borders. This warship breaks a decade-long procurement hiatus in major surface combatants.
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Official defense guidelines clarify that the naval posture does not require a blue-water oceanic fleet. Instead, modernization focuses on reinforcing naval regions and creating mobile offshore task groups to secure contested waters. The vessel fits this structure by pairing an indigenously produced Active Electronically Scanned Array radar with a twelve-cell vertical launch system likely designated for air-defense missiles.
Did You Know? The new frigate builds upon a decade-long investment in domestic infrastructure that began in the 2010s, utilizing design experience gained from fast-attack craft programs like the BPS-500 and TT-400TP series, alongside auxiliary platforms such as the submarine rescue ship Yết Kiêu 927.
Combat Capabilities and Technological Integration
Anti-submarine warfare serves as the primary task of the new frigate. The ship integrates dual RBU-6000 rocket launchers, twin 533mm torpedo tubes, hull sonar (with a potential towed-array sonar), and a helideck configured for a Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter. This suite permits the crew to detect, track, and engage underwater targets across multiple ranges.
Long-range surface strike capabilities are provided by an eight-cell launch array for domestic VCM-family anti-ship cruise missiles built by Viettel, specifically noting the 300 km VCM-02 variant. Technologically, the platform links fixed-panel AESA radar and Combat Management Systems developed by Viettel to automate threat tracking and target assignment for vertical-launch air defense and AK-630 close-in weapon systems. The vessel also standardizes hardware configurations including domestic AK-176 artillery and RBU-6000 launchers for future production runs.
Regional Context and Strategic Autonomy
Beyond Vietnam, this platform exemplifies a broader regional shift across Southeast Asian navies toward larger, heavily armed multi-role surface combatants. Comparable regional programs include Indonesia’s Merah Putih (Arrowhead 140) frigates, the Philippines’ Miguel Malvar-class frigates, and Malaysia’s Maharaja Lela-class programme. By placing domestic systems like AESA radar and VCM missiles onto a Russian-origin hull design, Vietnam demonstrates the capacity to operationalize domestic defence technology at scale.
The vessel may also serve as a command-and-control flagship for mobile task forces, granting commanders operational experience in coordinating joint air defence, surface strike, and anti-submarine sweeps. Testing real-time tactical data links between offshore task groups, coastal missile brigades, island garrisons, and airborne assets will allow the Navy to refine its green-water operational concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did construction on the new frigate begin?
Construction began on August 10, 2026, at the Sông Thu Corporation shipyard in Da Nang.
What are the primary armament systems on the new warship?
The frigate is equipped with an AESA radar, a twelve-cell vertical launch system, dual RBU-6000 rocket launchers, twin 533mm torpedo tubes, an AK-176 artillery piece, AK-630 close-in weapon systems, and an eight-cell launch array for VCM anti-ship cruise missiles.
Why is Vietnam shifting away from Russian suppliers for this project?
The transition stems from problems within Russia’s defence industry, prompting Hanoi to leverage domestic industrial infrastructure and pragmatic engineering partnerships.
How will the Vietnam People’s Navy utilize the operational data gathered from this new frigate class in future regional deployments?
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