Vietnam’s navy is already doing training runs near its coast in two Kilo-class submarines from Russia, Reuters reported. It will receive another in November, part of a USD$2.6 billion purchase made from Moscow in ’09 – part of Vietnam’s biggest-ever arms deal that also guarantees another three subs within two years. Beijing’s placement of an oil rig in South China Sea waters claimed by Vietnam infuriated Hanoi earlier this year, sparking riots that targeted and killed Chinese businessmen. China currently has a fleet of 70 submarines.
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