U.S will soon sell weapons to Vietnam?

[NiceGuy]

From bbc.co.uk/vietnamese/

Mỹ sẽ sớm bán vũ khí cho Việt Nam?



Hai thượng nghị sỹ, đặc biệt là ông John McCain, có mối quan tâm lớn tới Việt Nam
Thượng nghị sỹ John McCain nói quá trình thương thảo về bán vũ khí sát thương cho Việt Nam đang diễn ra 'một cách tích cực'.
Nói chuyện với BBC tại diễn đàn an ninh khu vực Đối thoại Shangri-La, ông McCain bày tỏ lạc quan, rằng ông hài lòng về sự phát triển "quan hệ giữa Hoa Kỳ và Việt Nam".

"Việc này [bán vũ khí] phụ thuộc vào loại vũ khí gì. Có những loại vũ khí mà chúng tôi cho rằng Việt Nam không cần thiết phải có."
Tuy nhiên ông nói một số loại vũ khí khác "có thể đàm phán được" và hai bên đang trong quá trình thương thảo.
"Đây là chủ đề mà tôi cho là hai nước có thể giải quyết một cách tích cực".
Ông John McCain được cho là thành viên có ảnh hưởng trong Ủy ban Quân vụ của Thượng viện Hoa Kỳ.

Chuyên gia về quốc phòng khu vực Andrei Chang, chủ biên tạp chí quốc phòng Kanwa, nói lệnh cấm vận vũ khí sát thương của Mỹ đã "lỗi thời".
"Trong tình hình hiện nay, tôi cho là nó sẽ sớm được dỡ bỏ."

Trong khi đó, Giáo sư Carlyle Thayer, chuyên gia về Việt Nam tại Canberra, Úc châu, thì dự đoán "Hoa Kỳ sẽ không dỡ bỏ các hạn chế về bán vũ khí sát thương và một số loại vũ khí khác cho Việt Nam chừng nào Hà Nội chưa đưa ra cải thiện về nhân quyền".
Mới đây, bên lề cuộc họp Quốc hội tại Hà Nội, Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Việt Nam Phùng Quang Thanh nói với báo giới trong nước rằng Việt Nam vẫn đang kiến nghị bỏ lệnh cấm vận vũ khí sát thương.
Ông Thanh cũng nói, tuy vậy, nhu cầu mua vũ khí từ Mỹ không nhiều vì khả năng tài chính của Việt Nam còn hạn chế. Hà Nội chủ yếu mong muốn mua linh kiện,khí tài để bảo dưỡng và tiếp tục sử dụng các vũ khí thu được từ thời chiến.
Bộ trưởng Quốc phòng Hoa Kỳ Leon Panetta sẽ có chuyến thăm chính thức Việt Nam hai ngày ngay sau khi tham dự diễn đàn an ninh ở Singapore.

Tuy không tháp tùng ông Panetta sang Việt Nam, nhưng ông McCain, người đã thăm Việt Nam nhiều lần, nói quan hệ hai bên trong nhiều lĩnh vực kể cả quốc phòng đang "tiến triển tích cực".
Bản thân Bộ trưởng Panetta nói chuyến thăm của ông sẽ thúc đẩy và cụ thể hóa Bản ghi nhớ về hợp tác quốc phòng mà Hoa Kỳ và Việt Nam ký kết từ năm 2010
BBC Vietnamese - Viê?t Nam - My? se? s??m ba?n vu? khi? cho Viê?t Nam?

Translate into English

U.S will soon sell Lethal weapons to Vietnam?
Two senators, particularly Mr. John McCain, has great concern to Viet NamSenator John McCain said the negotiations about Lethal weapon for Vietnam is 'in a positive way'.

Speaking to the BBC in the regional security forum Shangri-La Dialogue, McCain expressed optimism, saying he was pleased that the development of "relations between the U.S. and Vietnam"."It depends on what type of weapon. There're some kinds of weapons that we believe Vietnam does not need"

"But he said some other weapons are" negotiatable" and the two sides are in the process of negotiations."This is the theme that I think is the two countries could resolve in a positive way."

However in the context of having an arms race in the area, and Vietnam became the country buying weapons of type most from Russia, seems like having a shift in this sensitive aspect of the relationship US-Vietnam bilateral.

Defense expert area Andrei Chang, editor of Kanwa defense spending, said:" the embargo of Lethal wepon sell to VietNam is "obsolete"."In the current situation, I think it will be lifted soon.

"Meanwhile, Professor Carlyle Thayer, an expert on Vietnam at Canberra, Australia, expects "the U.S. would not unload the arms limitations of the damage and some other weapons for the Vietnam securities Hanoi has not yet made to improve human rights. "Recently, the sidelines of parliament meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam's Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh told reporters in the country that Vietnam is still proposed to lift lethal weapon embargo soon" .Mr. Thanh also said, however, needs to buy more weapons from the U.S. financial capacity of Vietnam's human limitations. Hanoi unexpectedly mainly purchased components for maintenance and continued to use of these weapons were obtained during the VietNam war.

Mr. Panetta have not to visit to Vietnam yet, but Mr. McCain, who has visited Vietnam many times, said ties between the two sides in various fields including defense are "positive development".Ministers themselves Panetta said his visit will promote and concretize the Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation that the United States and Vietnam signed in 2010

Yeah, US should sell Lethal weapon to VN soon, that's the way to make friend with us . We need US to sell a better bomb than CBU-55 (kill 2,500 troop in single blast)now.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Good, Vietnam should look forward to improve their air defense systems and Air force.

 

[Wet Shirt Contest]

They Should buy More S300 or S400 Air defence. (whichever suits them and doesn't mess with logistics)
I wonder if India can set up a brahmos production line in vietnam.

 

[Martian2]

Has the United States decided to grant Vietnam military aid?

The last time I checked, Vietnam was an extremely poor country with a ridiculously small military budget. Are you guys planning on buying a few M-16 machine guns?

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After a couple of UAVs and a single corvette, Vietnam is already broke.

http://z9.invisionfree.com/21c/index.php?showtopic=9786&st=50&#last

"Vietnam's Military Budget

2011 Military Budget: $2.3 billion
2011 Procurement Budget: $341 million (15%)

2011 Purchases
USA A set of 2 RQ-4B/40 Global Hawk UAV (280 million)
4x Netherlands Sigma class corvette (61 million/815 million)"

[Note: The corvette procurement is real. The UAV purchase is hypothetical for illustration purposes. Perhaps NiceGuy can highlight Vietnam's weapons procurement for 2011.]

 

[rashtriya.rifles]

Your condescension is always much appreciated... now bug off !!

 

[Fanling Monk]

Poor Dai Viet, so much ambitions yet so little resources. Inflation and depreciation would eat up whatever remains they have, if there's any.

 

[NiceGuy]

Has the United States decided to grant Vietnam military aid?

The last time I checked, Vietnam was an extremely poor country with a ridiculously small military budget. Are you guys planning on buying a few M-16 machine guns?

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After a couple of UAVs and a single corvette, Vietnam is already broke.

Hehe, we can buy weapon on Credit , and Russia also has promised to build a submarine base for our Kilos

Moving eastward
Moscow has given an US$8 billion loan for the construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant. Russia is Vietnam's most important source of advanced weapon technology. And the weapons systems include the SS-N-25 Switchblade/Kh-35 Uransubsonic anti-ship missile, the Ka-27 naval helicopter, the SU-30 MK multi-role fighter aircraft, upgraded Kilo Class attack submarines, Gepard Class Corvettes, the Molnia/Project 12418 fast attack craft packed with Moskit/SS-N-22 Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missiles, Svetlyak export class patrol boats (originally developed for the KGB's border guards) equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, and so on - all of which help boost Vietnam's capability to defy China.

Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has promised Moscow's help for Vietnam to build a submarine base for its Kilos, a loan to help Hanoi buy rescue and auxiliary vessels from Russia and planes for Vietnam's navy as well as build a ship repair yard that will also service visiting Russian navy ships.
Asia Times Online :: China News, China Business News, Taiwan and Hong Kong News and Business.

Our amry is not use to fight with Weak country like China (militia groups is enough), it will be used to control Malacca strait in the future

 

[Hulk]

It is very good news, China is threatening everyone in neighborhood and US help is appreciated.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

It is very good news, China is threatening everyone in neighborhood and US help is appreciated.

so USA is a good guy in your eyes?
they are there to CREATE tension not to prevent it...

 

[Avisheik]

They Should buy More S300 or S400 Air defence. (whichever suits them and doesn't mess with logistics)
I wonder if India can set up a brahmos production line in vietnam.

S300 and S 400 are both made by Russia not USA. So USA cant sell them to vietnam. And i think vietnam already has two S300

 

[Hulk]

so USA is a good guy in your eyes?
they are there to CREATE tension not to prevent it...

US is better than others for sure, it is China's problem that for petty things they are threatening all their neighbors. All the neighboring countries are small and have their rights. If China becomes little accommodating of others they will gain respect.

 

[Avisheik]

America have a lot of extra equipment that they do not need to use as they are moving out of afghanistan(worth around $9billion). They are trying to sell away their extra to earn some cash. Bangladesh recently bought 4 C130 E from them cos of this extra equipment sale policy. Is this the reason why america might lift the ban? To try ro sell their extra equipment to vietnam??

 

[TruthSeeker]

The US should GIVE weapons systems to Vietnam. Especially naval patrol and reconnaissance equipment, Toute de suite!!!!

 

[Wet Shirt Contest]

S300 and S 400 are both made by Russia not USA. So USA cant sell them to vietnam. And i think vietnam already has two S300

Genius" I know that, but i am suggesting generally, 1st go and find out what air defence Vietnam currently uses.
even brahmos made by USA ? scroll and read post carefully.

 

[Martian2]

Hehe, we can buy weapon on Credit , and Russia also has promised to build a submarine base for our Kilos

Our amry is not use to fight with Weak country like China (militia groups is enough), it will be used to control Malacca strait in the future

America won't accept barter payment

Russians are willing to conduct some arms deals with barter. As far as I know, the United States only sells its arms for hard cash or gives it away in military aid.

That's why I asked you whether the United States had changed its mind and decided to provide military aid to Vietnam. I'm going to guess the answer is "no." After all, the U.S. only provides a measly $25 million in military aid to its treaty-defense ally Philippines.

The military aid to the Filipinos have been doubled to a whopping $50 million for this year. Everyone knows you can only buy an old World War II coast guard cutter from the U.S. with a few tens of million of dollars in aid.

I've already explained that Vietnam has virtually no hard currency. A $300 million-ish annual military budget won't buy squat. If you factor in the price of the equipment (e.g. basic F-16 airframe itself), training, spares, upgrades, fuel, hangar housing, extended warranty, maintenance (e.g. major engine overhaul), weapon pods (extra), electronic warfare options (extra), and ammunition (extra), I think Vietnam can probably buy only 3 U.S.-built F-16s a year.

It will take you Vietnamese guys forever to build a modern air force at American prices. The Russians may be willing to accept Vietnamese coconuts in payment. America won't. To illustrate, did you know the Filipinos can't afford American equipment and are seeking to buy from other countries (see citation below)?

As far as I can tell, the Filipino strategy is to fight the PLA Air Force by making them laugh to death by fielding a Filipino air force with World War II propeller-powered aircraft. You guys think the Filipinos might be desperate enough to resort to World War I biplanes?

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http://defense-update.com/20120520_philippines-looking-to-buy-non-usa-combat-aircraft.html

"Philippines Looking to Buy Non-USA Combat Aircraft
by Richard_Dudley
May 20, 2012 06:03

The PAF operates these SF260TP [World War II propeller-powered] trainers since the mid 1990s. One such plane crashed Friday off Lamonja island, with two crew members on board.

For the first time in its history, the Philippines is looking to non-USA sources for combat aircraft to strengthen the nation’s warfighting capabilities. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) is reported to be in the market to purchase as many as two squadrons of combat aircraft and, according to DND representatives, has already entered into negotiations with non-USA manufacturers. Usually, a squadron would consist of 15 to 18 aircraft, but each squadron is configured to meet specific defense needs. On 7 May Dr. Peter Paul Galvez, speaking for the DND, announced that the Philippines had approached several nations with an eye towards procuring war materials needed to upgrade the nation’s armed forces. He stated that France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and South Korea were all prime candidates being considered.

Dr. Galvez indicated that his nation was in the market for second-hand combat aircraft and missile-firing gunboats in an effort to modernize the military and build an effective defense force. In consideration of the nation’s budget limitations, the DND seeks to achieve an acceptable balance of cost, capability, maintenance needs, and longevity in purchasing the desired warfighting assets.

The Philippines is now locked in a tense maritime dispute with China over ownership and control of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Chinese and Filipino ships have been in a face-to-face standoff for more than a month now with no end in sight. Both nations have dispatched ships to the area to secure their claims to the Shoal and the surrounding waters. Dr. Galvez also stated that the DND is also reviewing the possibility of procuring jet trainers for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The PAF currently flies Italian Marchetti S211 jet trainers, aircraft that are frequently used in a ground-attack role in the nation’s continuing war against insurgents.

The Philippines wants to negotiate “government-to-government” purchases in an effort to save money. When asked if the Philippines was planning to buy modern multi-role aircraft, Dr. Galvez said that such an acquisition was a dream of the DND, but one that would not likely fit into the defense budget. He also mentioned the substantial costs involved in maintaining new aircraft, costs the Philippines is presently not able to afford. He said that if they can buy “cheaper planes of the same quality and firepower, that’s another plus factor” for the Philippines.

PAF is currently using the OV10 Bronco for ground attack / counter insurgency operations. A cost effective replacement for both bronco and the F-5s, retired in 2005 could be the Korean FA-50, planned to replace the Korean F-5s by 2013. Aero Image photo via PAF

During a radio interview on 16 May, Philippine President Benigno Aquino stated that he had requested second-hand F-16 Falcons from the United States, but this request may not be practical considering the maintenance costs associated with keeping the aging aircraft operational. He said, “It’s not necessarily the F-16s. We are also looking at jet fighters with the same capability as that of the F-16 but are cost-efficient and low in maintenance.”

President Aquino went on to say that his government was looking to spend between $400 and $800 million for each of two combat squadrons. He also pointed out that the PAF’s last fighter jet, a Vietnam War-era Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter, was retired in 2005. For all practical purposes, the Philippines no longer has a credible air defense capability.

Last month, Manila requested additional military assistance from the United States including aircraft, radar systems, and gunboats. This request was submitted as a means of enabling the Philippines to create a “minimum credible defense.” Aquino went on to say that his government had various options to consider and that the nation has the “capacity to buy brand new, but not from America.” He declined to mention any specific aircraft model being considered and he said he was not at liberty to mention the country of manufacture at that time.

The president also stated that the DND’s acquisition endeavors also included upgrading the Navy. The flagship of the Philippine Navy, and largest warship the Navy has, is a former US Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutter, now renamed the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. A second and more capable Hamilton-class cutter, the USS Dallas, is expected to be delivered in November of this year.

President Aquino said that the DND was in the process of completing 132 projects with the expectation that these efforts would be finalized by the end of July of this year. The projects now in the works are unlikely to approach the level some analysts believe is needed for the Philippines to deploy an effective defense capability.

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), an American think tank, has published what their analysts believe are the Philippines’ minimum defense needs. According to CNAS, the Philippines needs at least four F-16 squadrons (48 aircraft), modern frigates, fast corvettes, minesweepers, and four to six mini-submarines to meet the challenges posed by China’s military modernization. CNAS claims that upgrading the Philippines’ defense posture as a counter to Chinese ambitions is in the best interest of the United States and her Asia-Pacific allies.

A Philippine modernization on the scale CNAS advocates is almost certainly beyond Manila’s financial ability at the present time. Such an extensive modernization would undoubtedly require financial assistance from the US and other Asia-Pacific nations, a prospect that is unlikely given the global economic challenges now hobbling the United States and other nations."