Vietnam Hosts Landmark Arms Expo as Defense Partnerships Evolve

The event highlights Vietnam's push to modernize its military, reduce reliance on Russian arms, and navigate regional tensions in the South China Sea

Vietnam's International Defense Expo in Hanoi features 250 exhibitors from nations including the U.S., China, Russia, and Israel.
U.S. companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are exploring partnerships to support Vietnam's military modernization across land, sea, air, and cyberspace.
Vietnam seeks to diversify its defense suppliers and strengthen domestic arms production, driven by disruptions in Russian arms supply and regional security concerns.
The South China Sea disputes, a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, are prompting Vietnam to bolster its defense capabilities.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the expo as a platform for peace, cooperation, and development, aligning with the country's non-alignment defense policy.