Russia's Zelenodolsk Shipyard has launched the first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the Modified Gepard (Project 11661E)-class guided-missile frigate for the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Navy.
According to Russian and Vietnamese media reports on 28 April, the vessel was launched the previous day at Zelenodolsk's facilities in Tatarstan, in a ceremony attended by senior PAVN Navy personnel.
While the ship will be the first ASW variant, it will be the third Gepard-class frigate to be operated by the PAVN Navy.