Vietnam raises interest in procuring improved Gepard 3.9-class frigates from Russia

Isa Khan · Sep 23, 2021

The Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) has been quoted on Vietnam’s interest in acquiring more Russian-made Project 11661 Gepard-class frigates to beef up its fleet.

Russian FSMTC Director Dmitry Shugaev said Vietnam is very much interested in acquiring additional Project 11661 Gepard 3.9 frigates, with technical consultations ongoing between Russia and Vietnam, and plans to hold important contract negotiations after agreeing on technical conditions.

No quantity has been confirmed yet, but previous reports suggest that the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) is interested in at least 2 more frigates.

Vietnam is said to be interested in improved version of the frigate, with a more advanced air defense system.

Currently, the VPN’s four Gepard 3.9 frigates are equipped with the Palma short-range anti-aircraft and close-in weapon system (CIWS), as well as two AK-630M-06 six-barrelled 30mm automatic gun. Both systems are capable only of short or very short-range engagements against fast moving targets.

Previous reports suggest that Russia’s Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corporation is modifying the design of the Gepard 3.9 frigate to enhance its firepower, with increased size and displacement to allow for the deployment of vertically-launched cruise missiles.

APDJ also reported in July 2019 that Vietnam was also looking at the Project 11356 Admiral Grigorovich-class and Project 22356 Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates, both of which are larger, more capable and more expensive than the Project 11661 Gepard-class frigate design.

Currently, the Russian Navy operates two Project 11661 Gepard-class frigates, while the Vietnam People’s Navy operate four Project 11661E Gepard 3.9 frigates.