17 Mei 2021
Kilo-class HQ-182 "Hà Nội" of Vietnam People Navy mooring by the port. From afar, Kilo submarines of the Navy appear kind of small but they look huge up close.
The Kilo-class is outfitted with anechoic tiles that adhere to the outside of the submarine's hull. Close-up of the anechoic tiles on the conning tower.
Kilo-class submarine HQ-182 "Hanoi" of Vietnam People Navy cruising forward while surfaced. "Hanoi" was the first Kilo of the Navy and it was responsible for the first firing of Club-S cruise missile in Vietnam too.
The First Kilo: Untold Stories
189th Brigade of Vietnam People Navy is a unique unit dedicated to operating Kilo-class submarines and the first Kilo of the unit is HQ-182 "Hà Nội".
In an interview, the Captain of "Hà Nội" provide lots of Interesting details about his men.
1/ As it turns out, none of them belong to the Navy in the first place.
The first submariners of Vietnam People Navy had been handpicked from Vietnam People Army. Thus, they originally served in the infantry, tank, artillery and other ground branches.
2/ The submariners must work without having a single manual in Vietnamese.
While Vietnam often uses Russian systems, having to adapt to a brand new class of weapon without manuals in Vietnamese is incredibly tough. Still, the submariners overcame that challenge.
3/ HQ-182 is one that fires the first submarine-launched cruise missile of the 189th Brigade as well as the Vietnam People Navy.
Firing of Club-S "Kalibr" cruise missile
Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Chief of Vietnam People Navy checking out a Club-S cruise missile (in canister). Club-S is used by the Kilo submarines of the Navy.
3M-54 "Kalibr" (SS-N-27 Sizzler) is a highly flexible cruise missile that could attack a variety of targets. In Vietnam People Navy, the main firing platform of Kalibr is the Kilo submarine fleet of six vessels.
A good look of a Club-S cruise missile. Seen here loading loading missiles into the Kilo submarine.
On June 2, 2017, "Hà Nội" launched a Klub-S missile while being submerged which marks a new milestone in the operation of the fleet.