Vietnamese Defense Minster Phung Quang Thanh on Thursday said Vietnam will acquire a submarine fleet over the next six years in what analysts say is a bid to strengthen Vietnam's military presence in the South China Sea.
"In the coming five to six years, we will have a submarine fleet with six kilo 636-class submarines," Vietnamese media quoted Thanh as saying.
Russia media reported in 2009 that Vietnam had agreed to buy six Russian kilo submarines for nearly US$2 billion.
Vietnam has no capacity to produce modern weapons and military equipment, so it must purchase costly weapons from abroad, Thanh said. He did not reveal the exact cost of the submarines, only saying the cost "depends on our economic ability."
The purchasing of submarines, missiles and warplanes were for self-defense, Thanh said. The new submarine fleet will not constitute a threat to other countries.
Chinese military expert Zhang Bo said that Vietnam's military force is the most powerful among Southeast Asian countries, and that despite Thanh assurances that the submarine fleet will be used solely for self-defense, it may cause frictions with other countries in the South China Sea.
Viewed from this perspective, the submarine purchases are an attempt to contain Chinese influence in the region, Zhang said. Vietnam has been mired in financial difficulties as it copes with rising inflation and a sluggish global economy. But its defense budget has not seen substantial cuts.
Last week, Vietnam received three coastal patrol planes it had ordered from Madrid-based manufacturer Airbus Military. Last year, the country ordered twelve Sukhoi Su-30MK2 warplanes from Russia.