The event was attended and directed by Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam.
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Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam and delegates attend the ceremony. |
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Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam addresses the ceremony. |
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Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Naval Service speaks at the ceremony. |
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Senior Colonel Dinh Truong Son, Chairman and General Director of Song Thu Corporation, speaks at the event. |
As the largest and most advanced combat vessel ever built by Viet Nam, the multipurpose anti-submarine frigate is primarily equipped with homegrown weapons and systems. The project underscores the nation’s self-reliance, ambition, and technical expertise, marking a major leap forward for its defense industry and military shipbuilding sector. Furthermore, it highlights Viet Nam’s growing capacity to master core technologies and develop modern military hardware.
The project embodies the Party and State’s guidelines to forge an “autonomous, self-reliant, resilient, dual-use, and modern” defense industry sector. As a landmark achievement in military shipbuilding, it demonstrates the proficiency of local engineers and scientists in constructing advanced vessels and integrating complex combat equipment.
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Delegates take part in the ceremony signaling the start of the construction. |
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At the Steel-cutting ceremony. |
Addressing the event, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam noted that the Ministry of National Defense, the General Department of Defense Industry, and the Naval Service have entrusted Song Thu Corporation with building the multipurpose anti-submarine frigate. With a 50-year tradition of construction and development, the corporation stands as one of the military’s leading shipbuilding facilities. Over the recent decades, it has continuously bolstered its capacity and reputation in building and providing technical support for military vessels, while promoting economic growth and exports, making an important contribution to the development of the defense industry.
The defense leader also highly valued the Naval Service, the General Department of Defense Industry, and affiliated units for swiftly completing the project procedures as regulated. He also acknowledged Song Thu Corporation's thorough preparations to build the multipurpose anti-submarine frigate. Being selected for this pivotal project, he noted, is a significant honor that further cements the corporation’s capacity, reputation, and leading position in both military and national shipbuilding industry in Viet Nam.
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Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam and delegates tour products under construction at Song Thu Corporation. |
To ensure the multipurpose anti-submarine frigate is completed on schedule and meets all technical and quality standards, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam urged relevant units to consider the project as a key political task, mobilize maximum resources and maintain close coordination throughout its implementation.
For the Naval Service, the deputy defense minister urged the unit to effectively fulfill its missions and coordinate closely with relevant units to carry out the construction in accordance with the law. He emphasized the strict management of the shipbuilding process to ensure smooth operation in all phases. Furthermore, he called for enhanced inspection and supervision during the construction, as well as the timely identification and resolution under any circumstances.
Song Thu Corporation was urged to uphold its traditions of solidarity, creativity, and discipline, considering product quality as the unit’s honor and reputation; mobilize its resources and expertise while integrating scientific advancement. At the same time, it must promote innovation and digital transformation in construction management, review and optimize production stages, strictly comply with technical procedures, ensure absolute safety, and fully meet technical and aesthetic requirements.
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Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam and delegates in a joint photo |
Meanwhile, the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) and units involved in researching, producing, manufacturing and installing equipment, weapons and materiel were requested to coordinate closely with the Naval Service and Song Thu Corporation throughout the implementation process; accelerate product research and manufacturing and complete the necessary procedures to ensure that equipment is ready for installation on the vessel, while maintaining quality, legal compliance and synchronization with the shipbuilding schedule.
In addition, the Ministry of National Defense’s affiliated units have to instruct and direct the Naval Service and Song Thu Corporation to carry out the project rigorously and in accordance with regulations; promptly propose solutions to overcome difficulties and obstacles during the implementation so that the construction of the multipurpose anti-submarine frigate can be successfully completed in line with the approved plan.
Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam expressed his hope that all forces would be determined to successfully complete the task, deserving the trust of the Party, State, and military.
Translated by Minh Anh