The 2nd edition of the Vietnam International Defence Expo, in Hanoi (December 19-22) provided crucial insights into the nation’s future defence procurement plans.

The importance of Vietnam’s future defence procurement direction cannot be understated; the nation remains one of the last defence markets in Southeast Asia that is largely untapped by Western OEMs. In their inaugural addresses prior to the start of the show, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, provided the clearest indication that Vietnam has finally decided to enter the global defence market.

Prime Minister Chinh emphasised, Vietnam adherence to its "four no's" defence policy - "no participation in military alliances, no ally with one country to fight against another, no allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use its territory to fight against other countries, no use of force or threat of use of force in international relations.”

This means it will likely procure defence equipment from various sources, to ensure that it is not impacted by sanctions by any one particular country in future conflict. Visitors to the show were surprised by the scale of the exhibition, which had a large static display of in-service defence equipment (largely sourced from Russia) and a surprising quantity of domestically developed defence equipment.

In addition to this Russia, which is intent on retaining Vietnam as a key defence buyer, displayed a large quantity of new weapon systems for the first time outside Russia.

The United States, which has carefully cultivated its defence relationship with Vietnam was also present at the show, flying a A-10C Thunderbolt II and a C-130 J ‘Super Hercules’ which transported a Stryker armoured vehicle and M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzer to the show. This was the first time that these platforms have been displayed in public in Vietnam. The US is also proposing the C-130/C-130 J for a potential Vietnamese transport aircraft need. Earlier in November, Textron Aviation Defence announced the delivery of the first three Beechcraft T-6C Texan II basic trainers to the Vietnam Air Defence air force. The other nine aircraft on order will be delivered in 2025.

Turkey, India, Japan, and Iran also displayed their defence wares at the show.

An important new weapon system unveiled at the show was the indigenously developed ‘Truong Son’ Vietnam Coastal Defence Missile System (VCS-01). “This mobile ground-based coastal defence system was designed and developed in Vietnam and can neutralise ships and other surface vessels,” a military official at the show told FW MAG.

The system includes a command post vehicle, self-propelled launchers, transport and loading vehicles, target acquisition radar vehicle and a technical inspection vehicle. The VLV-01 missile launch vehicle is based on a Russian Kamaz 8x8 chassis and can carry up to 8 missiles. According to the official, the Truong Son missile complex can be ready for deployment in under 10 minutes.

Also displayed was the Truong Son missile complex’s ‘Song Hong’ VSM-01A Vietnam Anti-Ship Missile. The high-subsonic speed missile has a range of 80 km, a body diameter of 315 mm and weighs 600 kg.

The state-owned military-run telecommunications company Viettel High Technology Industry Corporation (Viettel High Tech) showcased its deep upgrade of legacy 37 mm and 57 mm air defence (AD) guns. The AD guns have been updated with radar and electro-optic sensors, which are mounted on a separate high-mobility Kamaz chassis. The radar system and sensors perform target tracking and fire control functions more accurately, allowing the legacy AD guns to now shoot down even low-flying UAVs. The legacy VPK-57 AD guns earlier had an effective range of 4,300 m, which has now increased substantially in addition to reduced target detection and engagement time. The AD guns can operate in four modes: radar guidance, electro-optical guidance, combined and with altitude indication only. Each battery features four guns which are integrated with the command vehicle. The guns are connected to the command vehicle with wired lines and only require a loader when operated in automatic mode; however, they can also be de-linked and operate independently.

Vietnam Air Force’s Air Defence Technical Institute showcased several unmanned systems developed in Vietnam. This included the VU-C2 tactical loitering munition and MMD-01 quadcopter VTOL. The VU-C2 was designed for use by Special Forces (SF) units and features electric propulsion, giving it an endurance of 40 minutes and a top speed of 120 kmph. The MMD-01 is in operational use with Vietnamese forces and can carry a payload of up to 60 kg. Endurance with a 50 kg payload is quoted as 30 minutes.

Also displayed was the DIS-18 aerial target designed for training of Air Defence (AD) missile units. It can attain a cruising speed of 200-250 kmph, with. The aerial target has an altitude ceiling of 5,000 metres, maximum speed of 360 kmph, endurance of 60 minutes and range of 100 km.

Vietnam Defence Industries displayed a variety of drone and loitering munition products, including the QST-31 and BXL-33Kamikaze drone, BTS-99 surveillance and target acquisition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Russia, which is keen to retain Vietnam as a key defence buyer, pulled out no stops for the show, with Rosoboronexport opting to make the first public display outside Russia for its new RUBEZH-ME coastal defence missile system, BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and TYPHOON-K Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAV) vehicle with the KORNET-EM Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).

The RUBEZH-ME tactical coastal defence missile system features the Kh-35UE missile and four transport/launch canisters, the radar and fire control/communication/command systems are all mounted on a single Kamaz chassis. The BMP-3 IFV with add-on armour takes into account Russia’s recent combat experience with the armoured vehicle. It is now equipped with side slat armour and a top-attack protection system to effectively counter modern HEAT munitions, FPV drones and ATGMs.

Also showcased for the first time in the region was the LANCET-E loitering munition system. A complete configuration comprises of two ITEM 51-E and ITEM 52-E loitering munitions and a Z-16-E recon drone.

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