Vietnam has begun construction on what it describes as the country's largest and most advanced domestically made anti-submarine frigate, a military-owned newspaper reported. Vietnam, which has long been involved in maritime disputes with China and other claimants to the South China Sea, has been seeking to expand its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities while reducing reliance on imported military hardware sourced largely from Russia. The project underscores Vietnam's policy of developing a defense industry that is "autonomous, self-reliant, self-strengthening, dual-use and modern", according to a government statement. Vietnam is due to host the Vietnam International Defence Expo in Hanoi in December, the third edition of the biennial event, as it seeks to boost domestic defense production and diversify sources of military equipment. (Reuters - Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by David Stanway)