Submarine Corps of the Vietnam Navy

Among the current submarine units, the most prominent is the 189th Submarine Brigade. This is a campaign-level submarine unit, equipped with Kilo 636 submarines, a support squadron, and a modern shore-based infrastructure system.

The 189th Submarine Brigade has the task of independently or in coordination with units inside and outside the Navy to secretly deploy submarines, search for, detect, follow and suddenly destroy enemy targets.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 1. — Submarine Corps under the Navy

On June 20, 2011, the Minister of National Defense signed a decision to establish the 189th Submarine Brigade under the Navy. Over 13 years of construction and development, generations of officers and soldiers of the brigade have always been united, overcome difficulties, proactively innovated, mastered weapons and equipment, and excellently completed their missions.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 2. — Officers and soldiers of the 189th Submarine Brigade presented General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with a bottle of seawater taken from the deep sea, 2016.

“Since the 1980s, the Vietnam People's Army has intended to establish a submarine unit with the help of the Soviet Union. In June 1982, the Navy established Group 682 under the Navy General Staff.

After the training period, Group 682 was assigned to Squadron 182. At the end of July 1984, Squadron 182 was sent to the Soviet Union (formerly) to train on Project 613 submarines at the Riga submarine training center.

In early May 1986, Squadron 182 returned home. Because at that time Vietnam did not have the conditions to establish a Submarine Corps, in October 1987, Squadron 182 was dissolved, its members were transferred to other units, or were demobilized"...

Colonel Tran Van Thinh , former Head of Maritime Security Department, Navy, former Deputy Captain of Submarine Frame 1, Squadron 182

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 3. — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects equipment on a submarine of Brigade 189, March 2022

In the early days of its establishment, Brigade 189 carried out its tasks under the conditions of both perfecting its organization and training to receive, transfer and master submarines, along with a system of technical equipment to ensure submarines.

The brigade's training encountered many difficulties (new submarine equipment and weapons, first time being approached, no experience in exploitation and use...).

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 4. — Chief of Navy inspects the process of loading torpedoes into submarines

The working environment in a submarine is unique with low oxygen levels, toxic gas concentrations from equipment, etc., requiring sailors to be in good health, have a strong will and always be in a high combat readiness position.

To operate and master the Kilo 636 submarine, the sailors all undergo a systematic and scientific selection, training and education process. After completing 1 year of domestic training, the submarine sailors with good knowledge and health will continue to be sent to Russia for 19 months of training.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 5. — Officers and soldiers of submarine 183 - Ho Chi Minh City

Conducting training on receiving and transferring weapons and technical equipment at Brigade 189, the submarine sailors directly operated new and difficult tasks (hoisting weapons, charging and discharging batteries, charging nitrogen gas, etc.) and actively studied, researched, and quickly mastered the exploitation of weapons and equipment and coordinated exercises. The sailors independently exploited and operated the submarine to carry out missions at sea.

On April 3, 2014, at Cam Ranh military port (Khanh Hoa), the Navy held a national flag-raising ceremony for two submarines HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City.

On August 1, 2015, the flag-raising ceremony for two submarines 184 - Hai Phong and 185 - Khanh Hoa was held in Cam Ranh, with the participation of many leaders of ministries and branches.

On February 28, 2017, at the base of Submarine Brigade 189 (Cam Ranh military port), the Navy held a flag-raising ceremony for two Kilo submarines, 186 - Da Nang and 187 - Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 6. — Submarine on mission

In addition, Brigade 189 established a shortened crew to guide and train new crews, right from the training phase to prepare for receiving the submarine, the training phase with Russian experts and difficult contents such as: lying on the bottom, emergency diving, floating in case of an accident, escaping from the submarine in case of an accident...

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 7. — 189th Naval Submarine Brigade

Along with successfully completing training content and practicing the use of weapons on submarines, Brigade 189 closely coordinated with units to organize training close to possible practical situations.

On June 2, 2017, for the first time in the history of the Vietnam Navy, submarine 182 - Hanoi successfully fired a missile, destroying a target without the support of experts.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 8. — Submarine Brigade 189 fires missiles, destroys target

Officers and staff of Brigade 189 have successfully researched and created hundreds of technical innovations and improvements (software to guide the search for failures in the preliminary treatment of the sona complex; engine speed control equipment, etc.), helping the unit proactively source replacement materials, ensuring stable operation of the submarine.

Binh chủng tàu ngầm của Hải quân Việt Nam- Ảnh 9. — The submarine captain and political commissar perform the flag salute ceremony.

During 13 years of construction and growth, generations of officers and sailors of Submarine Brigade 189 have cultivated the tradition of "Solidarity, discipline, secrecy, determination to win" and enhanced the overall strength, combat readiness, excellently completing assigned tasks, firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.