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BOLSTERING COOPERATION

Vietnam seeks to diversify its recent arms purchases

By JAY MENON
A s Vietnam seeks to diver- broader regional trend of diversify- Partnership.

ing suppliers.
sify its arms purchases
from traditional suppliers
important step forward in
such as Russia and the U.S., coun- In November, the United States “This delivery represents an
tries like India, Japan and Israel expanded its defence cooperation our growing partnership with
could emerge as potential exporters with Vietnam with the delivery of Vietnam,” said U.S. Ambassador
of defence equipment. T-6C trainer aircraft. to Vietnam Marc Knapper. “The
T-6C Trainer Aircraft will provide
From 1995 to 2015, Russia pro- The handover of five next genera- valuable support to Vietnam’s
vided 90 per cent of Vietnam’s tion American-made T-6C Trainer pilot training program, reflecting
arms procurements, but from 2016 Aircraft, one of the biggest arms
to 2021 Russia’s share dropped delivery since the war, demon- our shared vision for a strong,
to 63 per cent. Vietnam’s desire strates the U.S. commitment to prosperous, independent, and
to deepen strategic relations with partner with Vietnam as it develops resilient Vietnam that contributes
the United States may be encour- self-reliant defence capabilities to regional stability and security,”
aging it to reduce dependence on in accordance with the U.S. – Knapper added.
Russian arms, but it also follows the Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic
In 2021, the Ministry of National

Vietnamese military and defense officials welcome Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara to Hanoi for meetings
in August 2024. IMAGE CREDIT: VIETNAM DEFENSE MINISTRY
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