Vietnam Starts Construction of the Third Project 12418 Missile Boat

Russian website Livejournal says Ba Son shipyard in Hochiminh City are installed 3rd hull module of the Molniya class Projet 1241.8 "Lighting" missile boat.

The Vietnam-made Molniya class Project 1241.1/ 1241.8 Missile Boat

The 3rd high-speed missile boat Molniya in the contract signed between Vietnam and Russian state arms corporation exporter Rosoboronexport in 2006.

The contract worth more than $ 1 billion for 10 Molniya class high-speed missile boats, the first two have finished in Russia, and the rest are built in Ba Son shipyard under license of the Vympel shipyard.

The hull module of Molniya missile boat being moved to Ba Son shipyard by sea.

Earlier, the first two boats were stationed at Ba Son shipyard was successfully launched and ongoing equipment installation.

Representing professionals of Vympel Shipyard said on this website that the 2 finished boats will be handed over to Vietnamese Navy in late 2013. 6 boats of the contract remaining to be completed and handed over by the end of 2015.

Thus in 2015, Vietnamese Navy will have 10 permanent Molniya class high-speed missile boats, each ship is equipped with 16 Kh-35 "Uran E" anti-ship missiles, range of 130 km, potentiality armed with the newest version Kh-35UE, 220 km range.

The Molniya high-speed missile boat will play an important role in the protection of national sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea.

Zing News