Vietnam will showcase locally manufactured weapons, some of which will make their debut, at the 2024 International Defense Exhibition to be held in Hanoi on the 19th, in hopes of promoting domestic industry development and the possibility of exporting military equipment.
According to foreign media reports, nearly 250 participating manufacturers include leading defense companies from countries such as the United States, Europe, Turkey, as well as from warring countries like Israel, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.
Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a major arms importer, particularly from Russia. For years, Vietnam has invested in defense capabilities because it is in an unstable region and has had conflicts with China over South China Sea boundary issues.
However, in recent years, Vietnam has also vigorously developed its domestic defense industry, with defense ministry officials repeatedly emphasizing that priority is currently being given to promoting the export of military products.
According to reports from the official media of the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense, state-owned defense company Viettel and other local companies will showcase missile defense systems, drones, anti-aircraft radars, armored vehicles, and artillery.
Nguyen The Phuong (transliteration), a Vietnam security expert from the University of New South Wales, Australia, stated that some of the weapons expected to be exhibited tomorrow will make their debut.
He noted that a key strategy to strengthen the local defense industry is to sign agreements with foreign arms exporters, allowing some weapon parts to be produced in Vietnam.
He mentioned that negotiations are currently underway with South Korean companies to explore the possibility of reaching new agreements under these conditions, particularly focusing on cooperation in the artillery and aviation fields.
Officials indicated that similar negotiations have also been conducted with companies from other countries such as the Czech Republic in the past.