Vietnam boosts naval power with new frigate

Vietnam on Monday received the second of two Russian-made guided missile frigates, local media reported, boosting its naval firepower amid maritime tensions with China. The Gepard class frigate — which an analyst called Vietnam’s most modern warship — arrived at Cam Ranh port on the country’s south-central coast, reports said. The first frigate reached Vietnam [...]

Vietnam to get sub fleet in six years: state media

Vietnam will have a submarine fleet within six years, the defence minister reportedly confirmed on Thursday, in what analysts say is intended as a deterrent to China’s increasing assertiveness at sea. Russian media reported in December 2009 that Vietnam had agreed to buy half a dozen diesel-electric submarines for about $2 billion. “In the coming [...]

Clinton praises China, ASEAN over South China Sea

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday praised China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for agreeing on guidelines aimed at defusing tensions over the South China Sea. “I want to commend China and ASEAN for working so closely together to include implementation guidelines for the declaration of conduct in the South China [...]

SU-30 VIETNAM

SU-30 VIETNAM

SU-30 VIETNAM

Gates seeks expansion of US-Vietnamese cooperation

HANOI, Vietnam: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates noted the level of cooperation in the military relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam and said he sees potential for that relationship to expand even further Oct. 11 during a speech at Vietnam National University. Secretary Gates said collaborative efforts provide opportunities to build knowledge and trust between [...]

Vietnam holds largest military display in years

Hanoi: Thousands of goose-stepping soldiers marched past the tomb of Vietnam’s founding president Ho Chi Minh on Sunday for the country’s largest military display in years. The parade, part of a ceremony for the city of Hanoi’s millennium celebrations, is a display of national pride that also sends a subtle message to Vietnam’s giant neighbour [...]

Vietnam Navy Selects Viking Series 400 Twin Otter for First Air Wing

GENEVA, Switzerland: Viking Air of Victoria, BC, Canada and the Vietnam Navy have finalized a purchase agreement for six DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft. With this historic purchase the Vietnam Ministry of Defense has acquired its first-ever western built-aircraft, and the formation of the Navy’s initial fixed-wing-aircraft Air Wing. The Series 400 Twin Otters [...]

Vietnam hails military cooperation with Russia

HANOI: The Vietnamese defense minister said on Tuesday that the current visit of his Russian counterpart to Vietnam would strengthen bilateral military ties, which have seen a significant improvement in the last few years. Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov arrived on Monday in Hanoi to meet with the Vietnamese leadership and discuss the prospects of [...]

Russia to deliver Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam

ZHUKOVSKY: Russia will fulfill a contract on the delivery of eight Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam in 2010, state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday. Russia and Vietnam signed a of $500 million agreement on the sale of eight Su-30MK2 fighters in January 2009. “The contract was signed in January, and we will fulfill it in [...]