Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Vietnam has no direct involvement in the Coalition–Iran Axis conflict but monitors Middle Eastern developments closely due to energy import dependencies and South China Sea strategic calculations. Hanoi maintains diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel while prioritising its own territorial defence posture against Chinese maritime encroachment.
Ballistic Missiles
| Name | Type | Range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scud-B (R-17 Elbrus) | Short-range ballistic missile | 300 km | Operational — legacy Soviet-supplied inventory |
| Scud-C | Short-range ballistic missile | 550 km | Operational — estimated 24–36 launchers |
| Scud-D (Hwasong-7 variant) | Short-range ballistic missile | 700 km | Reported — unconfirmed North Korean supply |
Cruise Missiles
| Name | Type | Range | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| P-800 Oniks (Yakhont) | Supersonic anti-ship cruise missile | 300 km | Operational — deployed with K-300P Bastion-P coastal batteries |
| Kh-31A (AS-17 Krypton) | Air-launched anti-ship missile | 110 km | Operational — carried by Su-30MK2 fleet |
| 3M-54E Klub (Kalibr-E) | Submarine-launched cruise missile | 220 km | Operational — deployed on Kilo-class submarines |
| Kh-59MK (AS-18 Kazoo) | Air-launched cruise missile | 285 km | Operational — precision land-attack and anti-ship variant |
Drones & UAVs
| Name | Type | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| VUA-SC1 | Indigenous reconnaissance UAV | Maritime surveillance and ISR | In service — limited numbers |
| Orbiter 2/3 | Israeli-origin mini-UAV | Tactical reconnaissance | Operational — Army and Navy units |
| Bayraktar TB2 | Medium-altitude long-endurance UCAV | Armed reconnaissance and strike | Procurement reported — under evaluation or initial delivery |
Air Defense Systems
| System | Type | Range | Origin | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-300PMU1 | Long-range SAM | 150 km | Russia | 2 battalions (12 launchers) |
| SPYDER-MR | Medium-range mobile SAM | 50 km | Israel | 2–3 batteries |
| S-125 Pechora-2TM | Low-to-medium range SAM (modernised) | 35 km | Russia/Belarus (upgraded) | Multiple batteries |
| SA-6 Kub (2K12) | Medium-range mobile SAM | 24 km | Soviet Union | Declining inventory — partially modernised |
| 9K38 Igla / 9K333 Verba | MANPADS | 6 km | Russia | Thousands across infantry and naval units |
Air Defense Assessment
Vietnam fields a mixed-generation air defence network anchored by S-300PMU1 batteries covering Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, supplemented by Israeli SPYDER systems for medium-range point defence. Legacy Soviet systems still comprise the bulk of inventory but suffer from ageing radars and limited networked integration. The layered architecture is regionally capable but lacks modern IADS integration against advanced cruise missile or stealth threats.
Strike Aircraft
| Aircraft | Type | Quantity | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Su-30MK2 | Multirole fighter | 35 (24 operational) | Air superiority, maritime strike, precision ground attack |
| Su-27SK/UBK | Air superiority fighter | 11 (declining readiness) | Air defence intercept |
| Su-22M4 (Fitter-K) | Ground attack / fighter-bomber | 24 (being phased out) | Close air support and anti-ship strike |
| CASA C-295M | Maritime patrol / transport | 3 | Maritime surveillance and SAR |
Naval Assets
Vietnam's naval strike capability centres on six Project 636.1 Kilo-class submarines armed with 3M-54E Klub anti-ship cruise missiles — representing the most potent A2/AD asset in Southeast Asia outside of China. Surface combatants include four Gepard-class frigates (3.9) equipped with Kh-35 Uran anti-ship missiles and two K-300P Bastion-P coastal defence batteries deploying P-800 Oniks supersonic missiles along the central coast, providing a 300km exclusion zone over disputed South China Sea waters.
Key Facilities
Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base
Naval base / submarine port — Khánh Hòa Province, central coast
Home port for all six Kilo-class submarines and Gepard frigates. Deep-water harbour with strategic access to South China Sea. Vietnam has resisted Chinese and US pressure to grant exclusive basing rights.
Biên Hòa Air Base
Air force base — Đồng Nai Province, southern Vietnam
Primary fighter base for Su-30MK2 fleet and Su-22 squadrons. Houses the 935th Fighter Regiment. Runway upgraded for heavy combat operations.
Đà Nẵng Air Base
Air force / maritime patrol base — Đà Nẵng, central coast
Forward operating base for South China Sea patrol sorties. Co-located with maritime surveillance assets and Bastion-P battery coverage.
Phú Quốc Island Military Zone
Forward naval / radar station — Gulf of Thailand, Kiên Giang Province
Southwestern maritime surveillance node and forward defence position covering Gulf of Thailand approaches.
Viettel Military Technology Complex
Defence industrial / R&D facility — Hanoi metropolitan area
Vietnam's largest state-owned defence conglomerate. Produces radars, communications equipment, counter-drone systems, and is developing indigenous UAV platforms.
Intelligence Agencies
Tổng cục Tình báo Quốc phòng (TC2 — Military Intelligence Directorate)
Military intelligence, foreign defence attaché network, signals intelligence collection, and strategic threat assessment
Bộ Công an — Tổng cục An ninh (Ministry of Public Security — General Department of Security)
Domestic counter-intelligence, counter-espionage, internal security monitoring, and cyber surveillance
Tổng cục Kỹ thuật (Technical General Department — Ministry of Defence)
Signals intelligence, electronic warfare, communications security, and technical surveillance
Nuclear Status
Status: NON_NUCLEAR
Vietnam is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty). Hanoi's civil nuclear programme was shelved in 2016 when the National Assembly cancelled the Ninh Thuận nuclear power plant project citing cost and safety concerns. There is no credible evidence of a weapons programme.
Combat Record
Vietnam has not engaged in direct military combat since the 1988 Johnson South Reef skirmish with China. Its military posture since has been exclusively defensive, focused on South China Sea island fortification and A2/AD capability building. Hanoi has conducted increasingly assertive coast guard patrols against Chinese vessels in disputed waters, with multiple ramming and water-cannon incidents recorded between 2014 and 2025. Vietnam closely studied the Ukraine conflict to accelerate drone acquisition and distributed coastal defence doctrine.
Strategic Assessment
Threat Level: LOW
Outlook
Vietnam will continue prioritising South China Sea defence over any Middle Eastern engagement. Hanoi is likely to pursue diversified arms procurement — potentially acquiring South Korean FA-50 light fighters or Indian BrahMos cruise missiles to reduce Russian dependency. The submarine fleet remains Vietnam's crown jewel deterrent but will require mid-life overhaul by the late 2020s, posing a critical sustainment challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vietnam have ballistic missiles?
Yes, Vietnam operates Soviet-era Scud-B and Scud-C short-range ballistic missiles with ranges of 300–550km. The inventory is estimated at 24–36 mobile launchers. These are primarily retained for coastal defence and territorial deterrence rather than offensive strike operations.
How many submarines does Vietnam have?
Vietnam operates six Project 636.1 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines purchased from Russia between 2013 and 2017. Each is armed with 3M-54E Klub anti-ship cruise missiles with a 220km range. They represent the most potent submarine force in Southeast Asia outside of China.
What fighter jets does Vietnam use?
The Vietnam People's Air Force operates approximately 35 Su-30MK2 multirole fighters as its primary combat platform, supported by 11 Su-27SK/UBK interceptors and roughly 24 Su-22M4 attack aircraft being phased out. There is no confirmed 5th-generation fighter acquisition programme.
Does Vietnam have nuclear weapons?
No. Vietnam is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Its civilian nuclear power programme was cancelled in 2016. There is no credible evidence of any weapons programme.
Is Vietnam involved in the Iran–Israel conflict?
No, Vietnam has no direct involvement in the Coalition–Iran Axis conflict. Hanoi maintains diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel and follows a non-aligned foreign policy. Vietnam's military focus is entirely on South China Sea territorial defence against Chinese encroachment.