Hanoi (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The US wants deeper military cooperation with Vietnam, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday during a visit to Hanoi, where he is set to meet leaders of the Southeast Asian nation.
How is the US strengthening defence ties with Vietnam?What military equipment is Washington offering to Hanoi?
“The United States is committed to continuing these projects and more,”
Hegseth said, adding that the United States supported a strong and independent Vietnam.
“Deeper cooperation will benefit both of our countries.”
How is the US strengthening defence ties with Vietnam?
Hegseth was expected to meet Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam, President Luong Cuong and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, a Vietnamese official briefed on the visit said.
Ahead of a meeting with Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, Hegseth stated that Washington’s military relations with Vietnam include delivering three cutters and three T-6 trainer aircraft to the Vietnamese coastguard, out of an order for 12.
Both ministers noted that Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft are among the topics to be discussed. Additionally, a U.S. official confirmed that C-130s would be part of the discussions. One Vietnamese source mentioned that discussions could also cover the supply of U.S. helicopters, specifically Lockheed Martin S-92s and Boeing models Chinooks.
What military equipment is Washington offering to Hanoi?
The Southeast Asian country, heavily dependent on Russian weapons, has sought to diversify its arsenal for several years. Discussions with the United States, which lifted an arms embargo in 2016, gained traction during the Biden administration but have not resulted in any official statements yet.
Last year, Reuters reported discussions about selling C-130 planes to Vietnam’s defence ministry, and in July, it covered a preliminary agreement on two S-92 helicopters following years of negotiations with its public security forces.
Since the arms embargo was lifted in 2016, U.S. defence exports to Vietnam have primarily consisted of coastguard ships and trainer aircraft. However, progress has been hindered by Hanoi’s concerns about costs, U.S. government approval processes, and compatibility issues with existing equipment. One of the sources mentioned that Vietnam’s police are also considering purchasing two or three Chinook helicopters.
In December, a police-controlled newspaper reported that a new airport near Hanoi under development would accommodate Chinook CH-47D helicopters and other aircraft. The Chinook was the only aircraft mentioned in the report that is not in current use.
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