Although Vietnam has traditionally been a customer of Soviet and Russian military equipment, significant changes in defense strategies have been evident in recent years. The Vietnam International Defense Expo (VIDEX 2024), held in Hanoi in December, was a concrete indicator of these changes. The expo made it clear that Western defense industry giants see Vietnam as a potential market.
Western Companies' Interest in Vietnam
World-renowned defense industry companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo and Thales participated in VIDEX 2024. Military equipment such as the Stryker 8×8 armored vehicle, M777A2 towed howitzer and C-130J Super Hercules exhibited by the US at the fair attracted the attention of Vietnam. Lockheed Martin, in particular, Tactical design capabilities of the C-130J Hercules He emphasised that Vietnam could offer a solution to the deficiencies in air transport capacity.
Washington’s lifting of the arms sales ban to Vietnam in 2016 and the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in 2023 are increasing the potential for military cooperation between the US and Vietnam. US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, in his statement at the fair, emphasized the importance they attach to this cooperation by saying, “Our goal is to ensure that Vietnam has everything it needs to defend its interests on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace.”
Boeing and Maritime Safety
Boeing executive Dale McDowall stated that the company is focused on cooperating with Vietnam in the field of maritime security at VIDEX 2024. McDowall emphasized that maritime security is of critical importance for Vietnam, which has coasts on the South China Sea, Wave Glider unmanned surface ship ve ScanEagle drones He said that they focused on the promotion of Boeing. He also said that Boeing is working to address the transportation infrastructure deficiencies in Vietnam. CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters He stated that it has great potential.
Competition from Russia and Other Suppliers
Vietnam’s defense sector is attracting interest from traditional Russian suppliers, as well as countries such as the Czech Republic, India, Israel, South Korea, Turkey and Japan. Russia had a strong presence at VIDEX 2024 with equipment such as the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle and the Rubezh coastal missile system. However, Russia, which competes with Western companies, is also aware that Vietnam is pursuing a diplomatic balancing act.
Vietnam is strengthening its own defense industry companies, as well as those from both Russian and Western suppliers. The country's largest defense company, Viettel, moves into kinetic weapons production and becomes a leader in this field. The exhibits at the fair VCS-01 Truong Son coastal defense missile system, attracted attention with its 80 km range VSM-01A missile.
A New Era in Vietnam's Defense Policies
VIDEX 2024 marks the beginning of a new era in Vietnam’s defense strategies and international partnerships. The increasing interest from the U.S. and Western companies shows that Vietnam is pursuing a diversified defense policy. At the same time, the development of the country’s own domestic defense industry companies shows that it is on the path to creating an independent defense ecosystem.
This change in Vietnam’s defense industry heralds a significant transformation not only in the military field but also in regional security and diplomacy. In this process, the ability of US and Western companies to provide solutions that meet Vietnam’s needs will be an important factor that will determine Vietnam’s direction in the defense market.
