The ships have a displacement of 2,200 tons, a length of 102 meters, a maximum speed of 23 knots, a crew of 103 and a cruising range of 5,000 miles.
The frigates are armed with an Uran-E anti-ship missile system, an AK-176M 76.2-mm gun, a Palma air defense artillery system, two AK-630M 30-mm gun mounts and 533-mm torpedo tubes. It can also carry a Ka-28 or a Ka-31 Helix naval helicopter.
Together with the country's recently ordered six Kilo class submarines and Su-30MK2 naval fighter-bombers, the Gepard deal is seen as part of Vietnam's current naval modernization drive.
Vietnam purchased first two Project Gepard 3.9 frigates in 2006; the last one was delivered in March 2011. The Vietnamese Navy designated the ships Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai To.
Through recent years, Vietnam has completed a number of contracts with Russia for delivery of surface ships and submarines for their Navy. In particular, in 2005 Vietnam bought twelve Project 12418 boats and began licensed production in the fall of 2010.
Vietnam purchased six Project 636 Varshavyanka diesel electric submarines from Russia in 2009 for $1.8 billion. Additionally, in April 2011
Russia agreed with Vietnam to deliver spare parts, tools and accessories for repair of naval equipment.
