Vietnam Begins Construction of Its First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Frigate

Vietnam marked the start of construction on its first indigenously designed multipurpose anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate for the Vietnam People’s Navy with a ceremony held on August 10, 2026. The vessel is being built by Song Thu Corporation at its shipyard in Da Nang and is described by Vietnamese authorities as the largest and most advanced domestically-built warship the country has produced to date.

At a Glance

Ceremony date: August 10, 2026
Builder: Song Thu Corporation, Da Nang shipyard
Estimated displacement: 2,500-3,000 tonnes
Length: approximately 105 metres
Construction timeline: scheduled for completion within 36 months
Sensors: active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
Armament: air-defense and anti-ship missiles, torpedo launchers
Aviation: stern flight deck and enclosed hangar for a Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopter
Most weapons and equipment developed domestically

Background

Vietnamese officials state that the frigate has been designed and built using domestically developed technology and expertise, with the majority of its weapons and equipment produced in-country. The inclusion of an AESA radar, combined with air-defense and anti-ship missile systems and torpedo launchers, points to a vessel designed for multiple mission sets rather than a single specialized role. Its stern flight deck and enclosed hangar, sized for a Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopter, extend the ship’s reach for detecting and tracking undersea threats well beyond the range of shipborne sonar alone. The stated 36-month construction timeline reflects the shipbuilding capacity Song Thu Corporation has developed and suggests a maturing domestic supply chain for naval systems.

Regional Impact

The keel-laying of an indigenously designed ASW frigate places Vietnam among a growing list of Southeast Asian and broader Indo-Pacific nations investing in domestic shipbuilding capacity rather than relying primarily on imported vessels. Anti-submarine capability is a particularly sensitive area given the volume of submarine activity and shipping traffic in and around the South China Sea, and a new class of ASW-capable surface combatants could expand Vietnam’s ability to monitor and respond to undersea activity in its exclusive economic zone and surrounding waters.

This move fits a broader pattern of countries in the region building indigenous defense-industrial capacity as a hedge against import dependency. Turkey has pursued a comparable strategy of localizing its own defense industry in recent years, a parallel worth noting even though there is no verified defense-industrial link or transaction between Turkey and Vietnam tied to this project.

FAQ

When will the frigate enter service?
No service-entry date has been announced; construction is scheduled to be completed within 36 months of the August 10, 2026 start.

Who is building the ship?
Song Thu Corporation, at its shipyard in Da Nang, Vietnam.

What is the ship’s primary role?
It is designed as a multipurpose frigate with a focus on anti-submarine warfare, while also carrying air-defense and anti-ship missile systems.