Page 11 - VIETNAM DEFENCE EXPO 2024 - Day 1 | GBP

Versatile Lockheed Martin C-130 Ideal for Vietnamese Need

Lockheed Martin is marking its second
appearance at the ongoing Vietnam
Defence Expo and promoting its C-130
Hercules and C-130J Super Hercules
transport aircraft for an emerging
Vietnamese requirement for a modern
transport type. A company spokes-
person, speaking to Daily News, said,
“Lockheed Martin stands ready to sup-
port Vietnam and other U.S. partners
and allies across Indo-Pacific region in
meeting their current and future mis-
sion requirements across all domains.”
The focus for the U.S. defence firm at
the show is on its C-130 Hercules and
C-130J Super Hercules transport air-
craft. “We plan to highlight the C-130J’s
tactical-by-design and proven capabil- C-130J-30 offers outstanding short- weather reconnaissance, firefighting
ities at this show given the relevancy field take-off and landing performance, and commercial freight delivery. Using
the Super Hercules has with current and lower fuel consumption, reduced carbon its aft loading ramp and door, the C-130
future regional operators,” the spokes- footprint, increased range, the most can accommodate a wide variety of
person said. pallet and passenger capacity, and su- oversized cargo, including everything
perior survivability. The global fleet of from utility helicopters and six-wheeled
555+ C-130Js has surpassed 3 million armored vehicles to standard palletized
The C-130 Hercules and C-130J Super flight hours with 28 operators in 23 cargo and military personnel. In an aerial
Hercules have a wide-reaching pres- nations using their aircraft to undertake delivery role, it can airdrop loads up to
ence in the INDOPACOM region, with combat missions, transport, aerial re- 42,000 pounds or use its high-flotation
12 countries operating legacy C-130s fueling, Special Operations, medevac, landing gear to land and deliver cargo
and six operating C-130J fleets. The humanitarian relief, search and rescue, on rough, dirt strips.

Vietnam Deepens Defence also inked loan agreements under a
US$300 million Line of Credit extend-
ed by the Government of India to the
Partnership with India Government of Vietnam for defence
procurement.

During the 14th India-Vietnam Defence
Policy Dialogue which took place in
New Delhi in August this year and was
co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri
Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Minister
of National Defence of Vietnam Senior
Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien;
Vietnam proposed five focus areas for
cooperation which included delega-
tion exchanges and dialogue, staff-
talks; Service-to-Service cooperation;
Education and training; and Defence
Industry cooperation. India proposed
Vietnam and India are increasing their official delegation including Ministers cooperation in emerging areas of
partnership in areas of defence secu- and leaders of many ministries of Viet concern for both countries like Cyber
rity. The enhance defence cooperation Nam. A ‘Joint Vision Statement on India- Security, Information Security, Military
between both nations is based on mu- Vietnam Defence Partnership towards Medicine, Submarine Search & Rescue.
tual interest and the priority accorded 2030’ was inked by both countries in Both nations have also signed a Letter
by both countries to ensure greater June 2022 during the visit of India’s of Intent to strengthen cooperation in
stability in the wider Indo-Pacific re- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to the field of training including exchange
gion. Vietnam is an important partner Vietnam. The defence cooperation be- of instructors and experts. India had
in India’s Act East Policy and in the tween the two countries in recent years also handed over an indigenously-built
Indo-Pacific Region. Earlier this year, has covered dialogues, training and ca- in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to
the Prime Minister of Viet Nam, H.E. pacity building cooperation, exchange of the Vietnam Peoples Navy in July 2023.
Pham Minh Chinh made a State Visit best practices, exercises, defence policy The warship was handed over with its
to India accompanied by a high level and industry cooperation. Vietnam has full weapons complement.

VIET NAM INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXPO 2024 DECEMBER-19-2024 11