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two leaders included technology the missile from the Philippines in India’s Act East policy and the
transfers in defense production, earlier this year, India is keen Indo-Pacific vision. Both countries
an area of particular interest to the to maintain the momentum by share a rich history of civilisational
Vietnamese side. India’s approach aggressively pitching the mis- and cultural linkages spanning over
to defense supplies for Vietnam sile system to Hanoi. This export 2,000 years.
will be guided by Vietnam’s specific push serves the dual purpose of
requirements. boosting India’s defence industry
and arming a key Southeast Asian Japan and Vietnam
Last year, during the visit of India’s nation that keeps China on edge,” Japan recently enabled exports of
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Dr Patil noted. Japanese-made defence equipment
visit to Hanoi signed the ‘Joint and technology to Vietnam. Japan
Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Under an earlier Line of Credit of is also in talks with Vietnam to sell
Defence Partnership towards 2030’, $US100 million, India delivered Self-Defense Forces’ vessels.
which will significantly enhance the over 12 High Speed Guard Boats to
scope and scale of existing defence Vietnam during the Indian defence Vietnam is the 11th nation with
cooperation.” minister’s visit to Hong Ha Shipyard which Japan has signed a defence

in Hai Phong on June 09, 2022. The equipment and technology transfer
India and Vietnam also signed an initial five boats were built in the deal. Tokyo is looking to expand
MoU, focused on mutual logistics Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard in military cooperation beyond its long-
support to enable the two countries India and the other seven in Hong time ally the US, and has signed
to use each other’s military bases to Ha Shipyard. similar agreements with Britain,
repair and replenish supplies. Australia, the Philippines and
The defence minister also Indonesia.
According to an Indian govern- announced gifting two simulators
ment official, this agreement is and monetary grant towards setting Under the “Japan-Vietnam Defense
“the first such major agreement up of Language and IT Lab at Air Cooperation at the New Level,”
which Vietnam has signed with Force Officers Training School for Japan and Vietnam will contrib-
any country.” This arrangement capacity building of Vietnamese ute more proactively to the peace
will mainly benefit the Indian Navy Armed Forces. and stability of the region and the
as it ramps up its profile in the international community, by making
Indo-Pacific. Both the countries India and Vietnam share a specific efforts utilizing their respec-
also agreed for early finalisation Comprehensive Strategic tive advantages and resources.
of $US500 million Defence Line of Partnership since 2016 and defence
Credit to Vietnam. Implementation cooperation is a key pillar of this The two nations will continue to
of the projects shall add sub- partnership. accelerate consultations for the
stantially to Vietnam’s Defence transfer of specific equipment
capabilities. Vietnam is an important partner including naval vessels and related

As part of the US$ 500 million LoC,
India has offered Vietnam BrahMos
cruise missiles, Akash missile
air defence system, Varunastra
anti-submarine torpedoes, and
coastal radars.

According to Dr. Sameer Patil, a
Senior Fellow at ORF Mumbai, both
countries have been in talks about
the Akash system since 2017, as
Vietnam is looking to replace its
ageing Soviet-era S-125/S-75 mid-
tier surface-to-air missile systems.

“More likely is the purchase of
BrahMos missiles, co-devel-
oped by India and Russia. After
bagging its first export order for
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