Vietnamese coastal defense missiles

This force uses artillery and missiles to protect naval bases, islands, archipelagos, and coastal shipping lanes; defends coastlines and islands; and provides support to naval combat vessels and army ships operating in coastal areas…

Brigade 680 (Naval Region 3) fires missiles, 2017

Immediately after the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975, the important task of the coastal defense forces was to conduct anti-landing operations and protect naval bases and military ports…

On April 12, 1979, the first coastal defense missile unit (also known as anti-ship missiles or shore missiles) of the Vietnam People's Army was established, under the name 43rd Naval Battalion. On May 28, 1979, the 43rd Naval Battalion was renamed Artillery Battalion B, and on June 7, 1979, it was renamed the 679th Naval Battalion.

Coastal missiles of the 679th Brigade (Naval Region 1)

In April 1993, the unit was upgraded to Regiment 679 and was transferred and handed over to Naval Region 1 in August 2012.

On May 22, 2013, the Ministry of National Defence issued a decision to reorganize Unit 679 into the 679th Coastal Defense Missile Brigade.

The launch vehicle of the anti-ship missile system is ready for combat.

Over 45 years of development, Brigade 679 has gradually matured and become increasingly strong. Through their intelligence, efforts, and sacrifices, generations of officers and soldiers of Brigade 679, the coastal defense missile unit, have built a tradition of "unity and cooperation, overcoming difficulties, mastering technology, and readiness for combat."

Besides the 679th Brigade, there are also several other coastal defense missile units worth mentioning.

Soldiers of the 680th Brigade load missiles into the launch platform.

The 680th Coastal Defense Missile Brigade of the 3rd Naval Region was established on November 11, 1988.

In recent years, the unit has focused on coordinated training closely aligned with assigned requirements and tasks; prioritizing night training and training in complex weather conditions, improving the command and technical expertise of its troops, and successfully completing the task of ensuring that missiles for Navy ships hit their targets during exercises…

Soldiers of Brigade 681 are on combat alert.

The 681st Coastal Defense Missile Brigade, under the 2nd Naval Region, was established on August 23, 2006.

This is a newly established combat unit equipped with very modern weapons and equipment. After more than three years since its formation, the unit moved its entire force and equipment from its initial base in Hai Phong to establish its official barracks in Phan Thiet City (Binh Thuan province).

Practice firing anti-ship missiles.

With strong determination and the support of Russian experts, the 681st Coastal Defense Missile Brigade made a breakthrough in the entire army by completing the assembly and synchronization of the Bastion coastal missile system and Monolis-B radar in less than 6 months.

Immediately afterwards, the unit promptly deployed the Bastion coastal missile system and Monolis-B radar for combat training, officially joining the forces tasked with defending the sea and islands.

Military attachés from various countries visit coastal defense missiles at Brigade 679.

Naval Region 4 (responsible for managing and protecting the sea and islands of South Central Vietnam from Binh Dinh to Binh Thuan, including the Spratly Islands) is responsible for managing key targets and strategically important locations in terms of the country's economy, politics, national defense, and security. Therefore, it is staffed with two coastal defense missile brigades: Brigades 685 (established December 6, 2010) and 682 (newly established).

Brigade 685 (Naval Region 4) launches anti-ship missiles, 2018

In addition, there are several other coastal defense missile and artillery units, belonging to various military regions and branches, also tasked with protecting maritime sovereignty and islands.

Loading missiles

Over the past period, the Ministry of National Defence has adjusted the organizational structure and developed the coastal defense missile force to suit its mission, building a comprehensive and solid artillery-missile defense system along the coast, sea, and islands; and developed combat methods according to operational plans, meeting the requirements of the mission in all situations.

The Minister of National Defence inspects the combat readiness of the coastal defense missile troops, June 2017.

As the force managing and operating a large quantity of specialized, rare, and high-quality weapons and technical equipment, with high demands on combat readiness, and many units serving on the front lines, the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy are also focusing on directing the reform and improvement of the quality of coastal artillery and missile training, concentrating on training to thoroughly master weapons and technical equipment, especially new, modern, and high-tech weapons and equipment; strengthening mobile training, coordinated training, and training under complex and high-intensity conditions.

The K-300P Bastion-P mobile coastal defense missile system is currently in service with the Vietnam People's Army.

In particular, the coastal defense missile forces have successfully conducted large-scale exercises (live firing with a large number of artillery and coastal missiles participating), and operations to defend the sovereignty of the country's seas, islands, and continental shelf.

Some images of the Coastal Defense Missile and Artillery Corps.

Coastal defense missile firing practice.

Soldiers of Brigade 681 are on combat alert.

The Extra missile has a range of up to 150 km and high accuracy. It is a guided missile capable of precisely striking targets within a range of 30 km to 150 km.

The K-300P Bastion-P system is used to attack ships in an enemy carrier strike group, escort group, and landing ships.

Understanding the functions and effects is essential to mastering missile technology.

Inspect the missile launcher and launch vehicle.

Missile storage

Inspecting training models at the fire support unit, 685th Coastal Defense Missile Brigade

Assigning tasks to the missile crew.

Some of the missiles are on display in the traditional room of Brigade 685 (Naval Region 4).

Lift the ammunition to the fire.

Missile operators practice operating the tracking system for missiles.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ten-lua-phong-thu-bo-bien-viet-nam-18524121217363121.htm