07:07 GMT, April 28, 2009 WASHINGTON | Moscow is close to finalizing a deal with Vietnam worth $1.8 billion for the purchase of six Kilo class diesel-electric submarines, according to Agence France-Presse. Venezuela had been expected to purchase these submarines, but that deal fell apart.

The submarines will be built by the St. Petersburg-based Admiralteyskye Verfi shipyard.

In addition to submarines, the Vietnamese Navy will receive new heavyweight torpedoes and perhaps land-attack missiles. The torpedo requirement may be met with either the 53-65 or TEST 76 weapons. This submarine class is capable of carrying the Novator Club-S (SS-N-27) cruise missile, but no mentioned was made if this weapon is part of the current deal.

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