HANOI, Vietnam: Vietnam has started building what it says will be the country's largest and most advanced domestically produced anti-submarine frigate, according to a military-run newspaper.

The warship is being constructed at the Defense Ministry's Song Thu Shipyard in Danang City. Most of the ship's weapons and military systems are also expected to be developed or assembled within Vietnam, the Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper reported on August 10.

The project is part of Vietnam's wider effort to strengthen its own defense industry and reduce its dependence on foreign military equipment. Vietnam has traditionally relied heavily on imported weapons, particularly equipment supplied by Russia.

The country has long been involved in maritime disputes with China and other countries over parts of the South China Sea. Building more advanced warships domestically would give Vietnam greater control over its military supplies and could reduce its dependence on overseas suppliers.

The government has described its defense industry strategy as "autonomous, self-reliant, self-strengthening, dual-use and modern".

Vietnamese technology and defense companies are expected to play a major role in the project. Viettel, the military-owned telecommunications and technology group, will work with other defense research and manufacturing organizations, the navy and the Song Thu shipyard. Their work will include developing, producing and installing the ship's weapons and other military equipment.

The project marks another step in Vietnam's long-running effort to modernize its navy. Over the past several decades, the country has bought Russian-made Kilo-class submarines and Gepard-class frigates. At the same time, Vietnam has expanded production of its own missile boats and patrol vessels.

The new frigate is expected to strengthen Vietnam's ability to monitor and respond to maritime activity, particularly in waters where it has ongoing territorial disputes.

Vietnam is also preparing to host the third Vietnam International Defense Expo in Hanoi in December. The event, held every two years, is intended to promote the country's domestic defense industry while helping Vietnam find a wider range of international suppliers for military equipment.

(An artist's view of an anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate accompanies the story.)