Vietnam Defence Forum

[Viet]

Korea´s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se visits Vietnam on Sunday this week. Yes, Korea is welcome to join Tpp and increases all sorts of investments from setting up new factories to transferring of technologies in Vietnam. No, I don´t think we will support South Korea to put more pressure on North Korea.

 

[Viet]

Kazakhstan

a commercial news with a major strategic intention behind the move. for the first time ever, a Kazakh cargo train loaded with 700 MT grain on 32 containers heading to Vietnam, via China, shortening Vietnam´s trading route to Europe.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novost...ransport-corridor-for-wheat-supply-to-Vietnam

 

[Carlosa]

Time for a Closer U.S.-Vietnam Relationship
Robert C. Thomas
March 14, 2017

http://www.realcleardefense.com/art..._a_closer_us-vietnam_relationship_110967.html

The United States has a curious history of forging particularly close relationships with countries with which it was once at war – just ask Germany, Japan, and the United States’ colonial parent the United Kingdom. Recent trends suggest that it is time for the United States to add Vietnam to that list. Officially Communist, Vietnam might seem like an odd partner for the United States. However, U.S. security interests in Southeast Asia, the clear preference of Vietnamese officials for closer ties, and the opportunity to improve governance and human rights protections in Vietnam should make a U.S. push for closer relations, an uncontroversial priority.

The top question to ask of any new international relationship is what interest it serves that would not be met otherwise. U.S. economic and security interests in Southeast Asia are immense, with over 60 percent of U.S. exports flowing throughout the broader Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam is strategically located next to the Southeast Asian trade choke points and the South China Sea. Given China’s role as both a top trade partner and frequent geopolitical rival of the United States, its reliance on shipments of oil and other goods through the South China Sea only magnifies the area’s importance.

Historically, the United States has relied on the Philippines and Thailand as key Southeast Asian partners, but the reliability of these partnerships has been called into question. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made recurring statements for downgrading U.S. ties. Additionally, given the potential instability of Thailand’s military Junta, especially without the steady hand of the now deceased long-time ally King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the future of the country’s relationship isunclear. The unstable and uncertain nature of these historical alliances should motivate the United States to diversify its partnerships in that region. Vietnam is well positioned to step into the gap as a strong and stable regional trade and security partner.

Vietnamese leaders have already demonstrated a concrete interest in closer economic and security ties with the United States. In 2015, the Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, visited the United States as part of an unprecedented high-level meeting aimed at strengthening relations. This was in part an attempt by Vietnamese leaders to reduce their country's dependence on (and resulting vulnerability to) their powerful Chinese neighbors. In addition to Vietnam's disproportionate economic dependence on China, the two countries remain locked in a tense territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Perhaps reflecting these concerns, polls show that the Vietnamese public’s opinion of the United States is much more favorable than its opinion of China. The combination of clear strategic incentives for Vietnam, support for closer ties with Vietnamese leaders, and a positive view of the United States among the Vietnamese public should make the opportunity to tighten the relationship a clear case of low-hanging fruit for U.S. policymakers and diplomats.

Vietnam’s poor human rights record remains the main sticking point for US policymakers. However, past U.S. policy toward the Vietnamese government has failed to produce any serious improvement in the country’s human rights situation in the decades since the Vietnam War. In fact, the primary leverage that the United States has over Vietnamese policy is precisely through the potential economic and security benefits that a closer bilateral relationship would offer. The United States, therefore, has a chance to incentivize improved human rights practices in Vietnam through carrots instead of sticks.

There are several ways in which U.S. policymakers can capitalize on this opportunity. Although the Vietnamese government seems to have reduced its focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) since it became clear that the United States would not participate, it remains committed to boosting international trade as an economic priority. U.S. and Vietnamese officials could revisit some of their respective proposals and goals from the recent TPP negotiations as a starting point for a new bilateral trade agreement. Additionally, the Obama Administration ended a long-standing U.S. arms embargo on Vietnam in 2016, which opened the door for defense procurement deals and other forms of military cooperation. The United States could work to secure Vietnamese participation in multilateral exercises, such as the Rim of the Pacific drills. Offering incentives on both the economic and military fronts in exchange for U.S. expert assistance on issues like the rule of law, human rights, and transparency in daily governance, for example, could prove more effective than top-down mandates on human rights issues directed at senior leaders in Hanoi.

So far, the Trump administration has provided little detail on how it will approach issues in Southeast Asia, beyond taking a tough line on China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea. The administration should recognize the opportunity that strengthened bilateral ties with Vietnam would provide to secure US interests and positions in this critical region.

Robert C. Thomas is an Asia-Pacific Fellow at Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). He is also a government security contractor and the Managing Editor of Parabellum Report. Robert expects to receive his MA in Ethics and Public Affairs from George Mason University in 2017.

 

[Viet]

105mm artillery gun on truck.
Nice but there are still some problems to be solved. Developing granate autoloading system, armor protection for the crew and logistics.

 

[Viet]

Industry
Vietnam, Netherlands look to boost defence industry co-operation
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
15 March 2017

The governments of Vietnam and the Netherlands have said they will look to boost defence co-operation, including in areas of manufacturing and technologies.

The Vietnam Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 14 March that defence officials from the two countries had agreed to deepen collaboration in activities such as peacekeeping, training and education, defence industry, and related technology transfers.

The MoD also stated that the defence officials from the two countries would look to sign an agreement in the near future to provide a framework for expanded collaboration.

This accord will build on a memorandum of understanding signed by the defence ministries of Vietnam and the Netherlands in 2011, which outlined co-operation in a range of defence and military activities, including potential joint manufacturing activities.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options:　ihs.com/contact

 

[Viet]

Radio Navigation

The RSBN-4N round-the-clock, all-weather short-range radio navigation beacon is designed to provide continuous navigation support for military and civil aircraft, and guide them to any point within the beacon's range. The RSBN-4N also supports air traffic control.

The Vietnamese improved version extends the range to 500 km.

 

[Viet]

Night patrol flight

 

[Viet]

A further step is made toward Vietnam deployment of modern panzer armies. Vietnamese crews are undergoing trainings in India in operating modern tanks.

Russia air acrobatics team is coming to Vietnam end of the month. The Russians will bring a message.

 

[Viet]

Beijing, Mar 16

Pham Hoai Nam, commander of Vietnamese Navy meets with Chang Wanquan, China defense minister in Beijing. Maybe there is a need for small talk. Japan sends the largest ever warship since end of WW II, participating naval exercises in the Indian Ocean through the South China Sea: the helicopter carrier Izumo.

 

[Aqsuperman]

Vietnam Mobile Police. Heavily equipped to deal with domestic violence. And in time of war, pretty much a paramilitary force.

And for the end, my favorite firing pose: Chicken wing :v

 

[Nike]

Vietnam Mobile Police. Heavily equipped to deal with domestic violence. And in time of war, pretty much a paramilitary force.

And for the end, my favorite firing pose: Chicken wing :v

very much like our Brimob

 

[Viet]

Hunting terrorists: Vietnamese infantry train in the jungle of India.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/as-c...vietnamese-soldiers-in-jungle-warfare-1670325

 

[xiao qi]

Hunting terrorists: Vietnamese infantry train in the jungle of India.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/as-c...vietnamese-soldiers-in-jungle-warfare-1670325

Maybe It is the exchange of the knowledge between two countries, i dont think, we need to learn how to fight in the jungle from anyone

 

[Viet]

A gift of Japan

A used fishing vessel is converted to a patrol vessel after refurbished and equipped with navigation system. 65.19 metres in length, 9.3 metres wide, 4.3 metres high and has a loaded capacity of 499 tons. It carries a crew of 20. The boat is good for another 40 years.

 

[Viet]

Vietnam, Israel optimise cooperation potential

Last update: 23:16 | 17/03/2017

Vietnam and Israel should work together in the spirit of creativity and innovation to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin made the suggestion in a recent interview with Vietnam News Agency on the run up to his upcoming official visit to Vietnam from March 19-25.

The following is the full text of the interview.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (Source: RealClearPolitics)



“Q: How do you evaluate the relationship between Israel and Vietnam over the years?

Israel and Vietnam share a rich and prosperous friendship. This is a friendship between our governments, and between the two peoples.

We have rapidly growing cooperation and are celebrating nearly a quarter of a century of diplomatic relations but of course, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, met with Ho Chi Minh in Paris in 1946, and the friendship they established that day, serves as the foundation for our close ties and strong relationship to this day.

Historically, thousands of years ago our peoples established their sovereign nations. We are countries which have many holy and spiritual sites, which are important to our identities and history.

We share an appreciation for their preservation and reverence throughout the ages. Indeed, both countries have had similar experiences having to fight against great powers for independence. We both share a deep appreciation for our freedom and right to self-determination.

Economically, Israel respects Vietnam’s development and fast growing economy. Indeed your achievements are admirable, and we look at you through the eyes of our own economy which has developed a strong hi-tech and innovation industry which has led to be known as the Start-Up Nation.

Israel is proud to welcome many hundreds of Vietnamese students on our MASHAV international development program each year, and Vietnam and Israel have become important partners.

Israel is one of Vietnam's major partners in the Middle East with a bilateral trade volume of US$2.3 billion in 2015. And of course we are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, which I hope will be concluded soon.

This agreement will form a stronger foundation for our mutual trade and business exchange.

We have so much potential to cooperate in so many fields. Indeed, ‘potential’ is probably the best word to describe our relations. Yes, our cooperation has been most fruitful, but we have to understand – and utilize – the great potential which lies before us.


Q: What should both countries do to further enhance diplomatic relationship and bilateral economic co-operation in the near future?

Vietnamese, like Israelis, have the same dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. So first and foremost, let us work together and cooperate in that spirit of innovation and creativity.

For Israel, this was born out a lack of natural resources. We had to think ‘outside the box’ to address some of the most daily concerns.

Accordingly we have developed much technology and know-how in the area of irrigation and water conservation – perhaps the most precious of all resources.

We work to purify more and more grey water, we work on advancing desalination, and we work to produce water even from thin air.

Vietnam has more water and a lot more land than Israel, but you have a lot more people to feed, and we know you are looking for ways to grow more food on your land, and for ways to supply clean water to your country.

This is a crucial area for our ongoing cooperation, as it will benefit both peoples, and indeed many others around the world.

In addition, our commercial partnerships today include, a growing variety of industries and knowledge sharing.

This includes of course defence and cyber crucial for keeping our peoples safe; medical devices and cooperation crucial for our peoples’ well-being; and education to continue on our great legacies and achievements.

Indeed, through cooperation in agriculture utilizing Israeli technology to improve Vietnamese production we can ensure food security for millions of people around the world.

If we cooperate in communications and technology, we connect people to build greater understanding and support research and development. Through our cooperation, we can truly face global challenges.

We are ready to do this together - indeed during my visit I am honored to bring with me a delegation of more than 50 Israeli business leaders, and will be addressing two economic seminars on expanding our cooperation.

This is the opportunity that we have, and in the future I would like to see more mutual trade and cooperation.


Q: What are the key contents to be discussed during your visit and your expectations for the visit?

My visit comes at the time when relations between both countries are bearing fruit and greater accomplishments can be made. During my visit I will meet with President Tran Dai Quang, with the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, and with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

We have much to discuss about how we can strengthen our ties, and work together to not only improve the lives of our peoples, but work to address challenges to the whole world, including security, sustainability, and innovation.


Q: What is your assessment of the national defence cooperation between Israel and Vietnam over the years?

We all know peace and security cannot be taken for granted. Often, so that we can enjoy economic, social, cultural, and educational prosperity, we must be vigilant to ensure security.

Defence has a role in peace as it does during times of war. In the twenty-first century, it is clear to everyone that security is a very broad term.

It includes homeland security, freedom from violence, protection against cyber-attacks, and the ability to communicate in any condition and in any weather.

So that security cooperation can incorporate all these different fields, Israel aspires to expand our security cooperation with other countries.

Over the last years, much has already been achieved in our cooperation, and we have exchanged military attaches as part of our growing diplomatic relations.

We are ready and willing to deepen this cooperation, and share further our best practices and experience in defending our peoples.