Monday, August 12, 2013

South China Sea: Russia takes larger view on Southeast Asian affairs, will sell six Kilo class submarines to Vietnam, Global Times


C
| 2013-8-12 21:48:01
By Global Times
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Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
It is reported that Russia will deliver the first of the six naval diesel-powered submarines of "Project 636M Varshavyanka" class to Vietnam in November. According to a military deal between Russia and Vietnam signed in 2009, all the six Kilo-class variants are scheduled for handover to the Vietnamese navy by 2016.

Russia's move has aroused heated controversy, especially at this critical moment when Vietnam is engaged in fierce disputes with China over islands in the South China Sea.

Some analysts think the decision actually demonstrates Russia's intention to respond to a rising China through increased military cooperation with Vietnam, one of the claimants to the oil and gas-rich Nansha and Xisha islands in the South China Sea.

Nevertheless, it goes a little too far to say that Russia aims at threatening China by providing submarines and crews as well as training Vietnamese military specialists.

Russia has a tradition of military cooperation with Vietnam. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the USSR and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, characterized by military coordination, was signed in 1978 in Moscow. What's more, every sovereign state has the right to choose which countries to cooperate with. Neither Russia nor Vietnam should be blamed for signing such a military deal.

Objectively, Vietnam's increasing military strength will definitely exert a negative influence upon the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea disputes, but it is not fair to say that the Kremlin targets Beijing.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu held quiet talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh in Hanoi this April. The two sides discussed the possibility of Russian specialists using the military base in Cam Ranh Bay, which was once used by the Soviet and then the Russian navies but abandoned in 2002 due to lack of funds.

While visiting Moscow last week, the Vietnamese defense minister welcomed Russia to use Cam Ranh military base.

A return to Cam Ranh Bay will help strengthen Russia's position in Southeast Asia. The former superpower that once balanced US hegemony is now facing new challenges as Washington quickens steps in its "pivot to Asia" strategy.

The Kremlin may feel responsible for security and stability in this region, and therefore makes military readjustment by expanding investment in military buildup and equipment.

Moreover, Russia's assistance for Vietnam today should be viewed differently from that during the Cold War, when the Soviet Union regarded the US as its major rival and had a contentious relationship with China.

Currently, Moscow is trying to establish a good relationship with China as both are obliged to maintain the security of the Asia-Pacific region. The growing US military presence in the strategically important region is of particular concern for Russia.

Besides a possible return to Cam Ranh Bay, Moscow also holds joint military drills with Beijing, another sign of Russia increasingly participating in Asian affairs.

Nonetheless, such participation will be unlikely to trigger fundamental changes in the architecture of Southeast Asia, which is decided by the reciprocal constraints of several powers including the US and China. Nor will its decision bring challenge to China's security.

China should view Russia's role positively and address the international row over the South China Sea through consultations from a long-term perspective.

Beijing is supposed to forge a new effective mechanism of security cooperation in concerted efforts with Russia and other countries in Southeast Asia if possible. And such a mechanism should be controllable and predictable, which would be conducive to peace and stability in this region.

China had better keep a larger picture in mind, looking to strategic needs and diplomatic solutions. A comprehensive approach may let the South China Sea disputes work themselves out.

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Wang Xiaonan based on an interview with Wang Lijiu, a research fellow with the Institute of Russian Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. wangxiaonan@globaltimes.com.cn

What's a Kilo-class submarine?
Kilo-class submarine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KIlo-class diesel submarine being towed through the Mediterranean sea en route to Iran (12-23-1995).jpg
An Iranian Kilo class submarine, the Yunes
Class overview
Builders:Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering “Rubin”
Shipyard 199 "Krasnoe Sormovo", Nizhniy Novgorod (Gorkiy)
Shipyard 112,"imeni Leninskogo Komsomola", Komsoloľsk na Amure
Shipyard "Leningradskoe Admiralteyskoe Obedinenie" (Admiralteyskie Verfi), Saint Petersburg (Leningrad)
Shipyard "Severnoe Mašinostroiteľnoe Predprijatie", Severodvinsk
Operators: Soviet Navy
 Russian Navy
 People's Liberation Army Navy
 Indian Navy
 Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
 Polish Navy
 Romanian Naval Forces
 Algerian National Navy
 Vietnamese People's Navy
Preceded by:Tango class submarine
Succeeded by:Lada class submarine
In commission:April 1982
Building:7
Completed:57
Active:48
Retired:2
General characteristics
Displacement:Surfaced: 2,300–2,350 tons
Submerged:3,000-3,950 tons full load
Length:70.0–74.0 m
Beam:9.9 m
Draft:6.5 m
Depth of hold:Operational: 240 meters
Maximum: 300 meters
Installed power:Diesel-electric
Propulsion:Diesel-electric propulsion
2 x 1000 kW Diesel generators
1 x 5,500–6,800 shp Propulsion motor
1 x fixed-pitch 6 or 7 bladed Propeller(6BL project 877) (7BL project 636)
Speed:Surfaced: 10–12 knots
Submerged: 17–25 knots
Range:With snorkel: 6,000–7,500 miles at 7 knots
Submerged: 400 miles at 3 knots
Full run: 12.7 miles at 21 knots
Endurance:45 days
Test depth:300 m
Complement:52
Armament:6/533 mm torpedo tubes
18 torpedoes
Club S anti-ship missiles (only on some export versions)
24 mines
8 SA-N-8 Gremlin or 8 SA-N-10 GimletSurface-to-air missiles (export submarines may not be equipped with air defense weapons)
The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus (Halibut) in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated asImproved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in Russia.
The Kilo class was to have been succeeded by the Lada class. In November 2011 the Russian Navy announced that the Lada class will not enter service because trials with the lead boat of the new class, Sankt Peterburg (B-585) had shown major deficiencies. Construction of two further boats has been suspended.[1]
The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarineoperations in relatively shallow waters. Original Project 877 boats are equipped with Rubikon MGK-400 sonar system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill), which includes a mine detection and avoidance sonar MG-519 Arfa (with NATO reporting name Mouse Roar). Newer Project 636 boats are equipped with improved MGK-400EM, with MG-519 Afra also upgraded to MG-519EM. The improved sonar systems have reduced the number of operators needed by sharing the same console via automation.
Anechoic tiles are fitted on casings and fins to absorb the sonar sound waves of active sonar, which results in a reduction and distortion of the return signal.[2] These tiles also help attenuate sounds that are emitted from the submarine, thus reducing the range by which the sub may be detected by passive sonar.[3]
One Kilo class submarine was equipped with pump-jetpropulsion.[4][5]

Operators[edit source | editbeta]

The first submarine entered service in the Soviet Navy in 1980, and the class remains in use with the Russian Navy today. 17 vessels are believed to still be in active service with the Russian Navy, while 7 vessels are thought to be in reserve.[6] So far, 33 vessels have been exported to several countries:

Possible operators[edit source | editbeta]

  • The government of Venezuela expressed interest in buying 3 Project 636 Kilo class submarines[19]
  • The government of Indonesia in 2007-2008 planned to acquire at least 2 Kilo class submarines. Until now there is no any new report about this plan. Possibly postponed or cancelled.

Project 877 units[edit source | editbeta]

Project 877 – significant dates
Operator#NameShipyardProjectLaid downLaunchedCommissionedFleetStatus
 RussiaB-248xKomsomoľsk na Amure87716 March 198012.09.198031 December 1980in reserve
 RussiaB-260ChitaKomsomoľsk na Amure87722 February 198123 August 198130 December 1981PFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-227VyborgKomsomoľsk na Amure87723 February 198216 September 198223 February 1983BFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-229xKomsomoľsk na Amure87723 February 198315 July 198330 October 1983in reserve
 RussiaB-404xKomsomoľsk na Amure87707.05.198324 September 198330 December 1983in reserve
 RussiaB-401NovosibirskNizhniy Novgorod87706.10.198215 March 198430 September 1984NFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-402VologdaNizhniy Novgorod87724 August 198329 September 198430 December 1984NFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-405(ex Tyumenskiy Komsomolets)Komsomoľsk na Amure87720 April 198421 September 198430 December 1984decommissioned and sold for scrap in 2007
 Poland291 (ex B-351)OrzełNizhniy Novgorod877E198419851985active as of 2010
 Romania581 (ex B-801)Delfinul IINizhniy Novgorod877E198419851985unknown (in reserve from 1995)
 IndiaS55SindhugoshSaint Petersburg877EKM29 May 198329 July 198525 November 1985active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2002–2005
 RussiaB-470xKomsomoľsk na Amure87706.05.198527 August 198530 December 1985decommissioned and sold for scrap in 2007
 RussiaB-806xNizhniy Novgorod877EKM[citation needed]15 October 198430 April 198625 September 1986BFactive as of 2009, status in 2010 unknown
 IndiaS56SindhudhvajSaint Petersburg877EKM01.04.198627 July 198625 November 1986active as of 2010
 Algeria012Rais Hadi MubarekNizhniy Novgorod877EKM1985198629 November 1986Upgraded in 2010, able to launch Klub missiles
 RussiaB-439xKomsomoľsk na Amure8774 April 198631 July 198630 December 1986in reserve
 IndiaS57SindhurajNizhniy Novgorod877EKM1986198702.09.1987active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1999–2001
 Algeria013Rais Hadi SlimaneNizhniy Novgorod877EKM1986198725 November 1987Upgraded in 2011, able to launch Klub missiles
 IndiaS58SindhuvirSaint Petersburg877EKM15 May 198713 September 198725 December 1987active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1997–1999
 RussiaB-445Svyatoi Nikolai ChudotvoretsKomsomoľsk na Amure87721 March 198726 September 198730 January 1988PFunknown (in reserve from 2007 or active)
 IndiaS59SindhuratnaNizhniy Novgorod877EKM1987198814 August 1988active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2001–2003
 IndiaS60SindhukesariSaint Petersburg877EKM20 April 198816 August 198829 October 1988active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 1999–2001
 RussiaB-808YaroslavlNizhniy Novgorod87729 September 198630 July 198827 December 1988NFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-394(ex Komsomolsk Tadjikistana)Komsomoľsk na Amure87715 April 198803.09.198830 December 1988PFunknown (in reserve from 2007 or active)
 RussiaB-800Kaluga (ex Vologodskij komsomolets)Nizhniy Novgorod877LPMB[citation needed]05.03.198707.05.198930 September 1989NFrefit as of 2012(refit finished launching of the vessel underway)
 IndiaS61SindhukirtiSaint Petersburg877EKM05.04.198926 August 198930 October 1989in modernization to project 08773 from 2007
 RussiaB-464Ust'-KamchatskKomsomoľsk na Amure87726 May 198923 September 198930 January 1990PFin reserve from 2007
 RussiaB-459VledikavkazNizhniy Novgorod87725 February 198829 April 199030 September 1990NFunknown (in reserve from 2008 or active)
 IndiaS62SindhuvijaySaint Petersburg877EKM06.04.199027 July 199027 October 1990active as of 2010, modernized to project 08773 in 2005–2007
 RussiaB-871AlrosaNizhniy Novgorod877V[citation needed]17 May 198809.198930 December 1990BSFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-471MagnitogorskNizhniy Novgorod87726 October 198822 September 199030 December 1990NFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-494Ust'-BolsheretskKomsomoľsk na Amure8775 May 199004.10.199030 December 1990PFunknown (in reserve from 2008 or active)
 Iran901TaregSaint Petersburg877EKM05.04.199125 September 199125 December 1991active as of 2012[20]Upgraded in Iran shipyard[21]
 RussiaB-187xKomsomoľsk na Amure87707.05.199105.10.199130 December 1991PFin reserve from 2007
 RussiaB-177LipetskNizhniy Novgorod87703.11.198927 July 199130 December 1991NFactive as of 2010
 RussiaB-190KrasnokamenskKomsomoľsk na Amure87708.05.199225 September 199230 December 1992PFactive as of 2010
 Iran902NoorSaint Petersburg877EKM30 April 199216 October 199231 December 1992unknown (probably in modernization in Iranian shipyard)
 RussiaB-345MogochaKomsomoľsk na Amure87722 April 199306.10.199322 January 1994PFactive as of 2010
 People's Republic of China364Yuan Zhend 64 HaoNizhniy Novgorod877EKM???199410.11.1994active as of 2007
 People's Republic of China365Yuan Zhend 65 HaoNizhniy Novgorod877EKM???199514 August 1995active as of 2007
 Iran903YunesSaint Petersburg877EKM05.02.199212.07.199402.09.1996active as 2011[22](probably in modernization in Iranian shipyard)
 IndiaS63SindhurakshakSaint Petersburg877EKM16 February 199526 June 199702.10.1997On 29 January, 2013, the Sindhushastra began shipment to India from Severodvinsk, Russia after repairs. It will finally enter service upon arrival. [23]
 IndiaS64SindhushastraSaint Petersburg877EKM12 December 199814 October 199916 May 2000active as of 2010

Project 636 units[edit source | editbeta]

Project 636 – significant dates
Operator#NameShipyardProjectLaid downLaunchedCommissionedFleetStatus
 People's Republic of China366Yuan Zheng 66 HaoSaint Petersburg63616 July 199626 April 199726 August 1997active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China367Yuan Zheng 67 HaoSaint Petersburg63628 August 199718 June 199825 October 1998active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China368Yuan Zheng 68 HaoSaint Petersburg636M18 October 200227 May 200420 October 2004active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China369Yuan Zheng 69 HaoSaint Petersburg636M18 October 200219 August 20042005active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China370Yuan Zheng 70 HaoSaint Petersburg636M200405.20052005active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China371Yuan Zheng 71 HaoSaint Petersburg636M200420052005active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China372Yuan Zheng 72 HaoSaint Petersburg636M200520052006active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China373Yuan Zheng 73 HaoNizhniy Novgorod636M07.199208.05.200405.08.2005active as of 2007
 People's Republic of China374Yuan Zheng 74 HaoSeverodvinsk636M29 May 200321 May 200530 December 2005active as of 2006
 People's Republic of China375Yuan Zheng 75 HaoSeverodvinsk636M29 May 200314 July 200530 December 2005active as of 2006
 Algeria022???Saint Petersburg636M200620 November 200828 August 2009active
 Algeria023 (?)???Saint Petersburg636M200709.04.200929 October 2009active
 RussiaB-261NovorossiyskSaint Petersburg636.320 August 2010[24]Summer 2013[25]pl.2014BSFlaid down
 RussiaB-237Rostov-on-DonSaint Petersburg636.321 November 2011[26]pl.2014BSFlaid down
 RussiaB-262Stary Oskol[27]Saint Petersburg636.317 August 2012[28]pl.2015BSFordered[17]
 RussiaB-??????Saint Petersburg636.32013pl.2015ordered[17]
 RussiaB-??????Saint Petersburg636.3pl.2016ordered[17]
 RussiaB-??????Saint Petersburg636.3pl.2016ordered[17]
 VietnamHQ-182Hà NộiSaint Petersburg636M25 August 201028 August 2012[29]pl.2013[30]ordered
 VietnamHQ-183Hồ Chí Minh CitySaint Petersburg636M28 September 201128 December 2012pl.2013ordered
 VietnamHQ-184Hải PhòngSaint Petersburg636MAugust 2013[31]pl.2014ordered
 VietnamHQ-185Đà NẵngSaint Petersburg636M2013pl.2015ordered
 VietnamHQ-186Khánh HòaSaint Petersburg636Mpl.2016ordered
 VietnamHQ-187Bà Rịa-Vũng TàuSaint Petersburg636Mpl.2016[30]ordered

Specifications[edit source | editbeta]

Schematic drawing of the Kilo class.
There are several variants of theKilo class. The information below is the smallest and largest number from the available information for all three variants of the ship.[32]
  • Displacement:
    • 2,300–2,350 tons surfaced
    • 3,000–4,000 tons submerged
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 70–74 meters
    • Beam: 9.9 meters
    • Draft: 6.2–6.5 meters
  • Maximum speed
    • 10–12 knots surfaced
    • 17–25 knots submerged
  • Propulsion: Diesel-electric 5,900 shp (4,400 kW)
  • Maximum depth: 300 meters (240–250 meters operational)
  • Endurance
    • 400 nautical miles (700 km) at 3 knots (6 km/h) submerged
    • 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 7 knots (13 km/h) snorkeling (7,500 miles for the Improved Kilo class)
    • 45 days sea endurance
  • Armament
  • Crew: 52
  • Price per unit is US$200–250 million (China paid approx. US$1.5-2 billion for 8 Project 636 Kilo class submarines)

Gallery[edit source | editbeta]

  • Polish Kilo class ORPOrzeł submarine, 26 June 2011
    •  
  • Russian Kilo class submarine.
    •  
  • Algerian Kilo class submarine.
    •  
  • A Chinese Kilo class submarine being delivered from Russia as deck cargo in 1995.
    •  
  • ORP Orzel (291) – Control room of 877E class submarine

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