(VOVworld) - A ceremony to raise the national flag on Vietnam’s first two submarines, the HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, was held at Cam Ranh port in central coastal Khanh Hoa province on Thursday.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stressed that this was a milestone marking a new stage of development for the Vietnam People’s Navy and People’s Army at large. He said:
"Together with rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, it’s necessary for the party and the entire army and people to unite to strengthen our people’s army and public security. As part of this effort, it’s important to modernize our navy, air force, missile defences, as well as other forces for the ultimate goal of national defense. ON this occasion, Vietnam wants to reiterate its defense policies of peace and self-defense. Vietnam has modernized its army for the purpose of defense only, not for targeting any other countries in the world."
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PM Dung said that another 4 modern submarines, named Hai Phong, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Ba Ria Vung Tau, will join Vietnam’s Submarine Brigade soon. He urged naval staff and soldiers to fulfill their tasks in contributing to protecting the country’s sea and islands’ sovereignty.
On this occasion, PM Dung thanked international friends, especially the Russian government for supporting Vietnam in its military modernization. Also on Thursday, Dung visited a number of naval units stationed at Cam Ranh Port.