Vietnam Defence Forum

[Viet]

Interesting, hardly 3 weeks passed when the VN government urged the US to do a more active role, "more efficient actions" in the SC Sea, the US responds by sending a small carrier strike group to the region.

The U.S. just sent a carrier strike group to confront China



World | Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:38pm IST
Related: World

Vietnam PM wants stronger U.S. role in South China Sea | Reuters

HANOI

Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam listens to U.S. President Barack Obama speak during a 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Rancho Mirage, California February 15, 2016.

Reuters/Mike Blake


Vietnam's prime minister has urged a greater U.S. role in preventing militarisation and island-building in the South China Sea, the government said on Tuesday, in a rare call for Washington's support to curb Beijing's maritime expansionism.

During a summit of Southeast Asian countries in California on Monday, premier Nguyen Tan Dung suggested to U.S. President Barack Obama that Washington uses a stronger voice and "more practical and more efficient actions", in comments likely to rile China.

Tension has spiked since Beijing's construction of seven islands in the Spratly archipelago.

"Prime Minister Dung suggested the United States has a stronger voice and more practical and more efficient actions requesting termination of all activities changing the status quo," the government said on its news website.

The statement did not specifically name China, but it said Dung was referring especially to "large-scale construction of artificial islands" and "militarisation".

With a large U-shaped line on its official maps, China claims most of the South China Sea. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have rival claims.

Obama and allies from Southeast Asia will turn their attention to China on Tuesday on the second day of a summit intended to improve trade and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (right) meets US President Barack Obama at the ASEAN-US Summit in Sunnylands, California on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam


Whereas China accuses the United States of seeking maritime hegemony in Asia, Washington says its interest in the South China Sea is preserving freedom of navigation.

In recent months, the United States raised the stakes by sending guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen and USS Curtis Wilbur close to disputed areas occupied by Beijing.

Though communist Vietnam routinely opposes China's activities in disputed waters, its leaders are usually wary of provoking a giant neighbour with which it shares over $60 billion of annual trade and maintains close ideological ties.

Dung has earned popularity in Vietnam for pursuing stronger U.S. trade and defence links and for taking a tougher line against China, compared to measured responses by other Vietnamese leaders to Beijing's assertiveness.

Dung was controversially overlooked by the politburo last month in its nomination for party chief, meaning the end of his political career when his term ends this year, posing a possible blow for Washington.

Dung also asked Obama to fully lift a lethal arms embargo on Vietnam, which would be an "important way to strengthen political trust", the government website quoted him saying.

Obama will visit Vietnam in May, the White House said.

(Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

[Viet]

Ancient Vietnamese gunpower weapons


source

Chinese Military Technology
and Dai Viet: c. 1390-1497


Chinese-style Firearms in Dai Viet (Vietnam)
The Archaeological Evidence

by Sun Laichen

Asia Research Institute
National University of Singapore




www.ari.nus.edu.sg/wps/wps03_011.pdf

www.aafv.org/.../SunLaichen_ChineseStyleFirearms

Chinese-style Firearms in Dai Viet (Vietnam)
The Archaeological Evidence

by Sun Laichen


Cannon

 

[Viet]

Entertain the troops

Lorrae Desmond performs in front of hundreds of Australian soldiers at Nui Dat in September 1969. A popular figure among the troops, Desmond made five trips to Vietnam. [AWM EKN/69/0189/VN]

on the battlefield. 60,000 personnel from Australia participated the Vietnam war. 500 servicemen lost their lives, some 3,000 were wounded

 

[Viet]

Battle of Cao Bằng (1979)

Vietnam´s Ministry of Education considers adding the battle of the Paracel Islands 1974 and China's 1979 invasion to school history books. it is time for those, who sacrificed, have a voice.

the troops marching to the front line. the city of Cao Bang.

we recall the days of February of 1979, when the PLA amassed 5 armies: 12th, 20th, 41th, 42nd and 50th Army, under the command of General Xu Shiyou, totally 200,000 men launched a massive offensive on Cao Bằng. the city, since ancient times, is a stronghold of the Vietnamese army.

Vietnam border guards and local militia men and women were the first, who braced the storm, the brunt of Chinese aggression, holding the enemy until re-enforcement arrived. they came in the forms of two VPA divisions 311th and 316th.

despite overwhelmed and outnumbered by the PLA, the Vietnamese defenders put all into the fight resulting into the bloody battle of Cao Bang.

 

[Aqsuperman]

Hwasong 6 , along with Scud made up VN tactical missiles units............no idea about strategic unit though :v

 

[Viet]

Hwasong 6 , along with Scud made up VN tactical missiles units............no idea about strategic unit though :v

such missiles as scud are for tactical mission. not strategic. actually little of value, even if we can produce 1,000 pieces and fire them on our enemy. well, unless we can improve the range, accuracy and payload. copying the technology from the North Koreans. possibly later with nuclear warheads.

changing topic. this news brings a smile to my face. a Japanese submarine, probably Uzushio class, is scheduled to pay a visit to the Cam Ranh bay. I believe that will be the first time ever. the sub will come with two accompanied warships.


Japanese submarine to visit Philippines: sources| Reuters

 

[Viet]

Cam Ranh Bay

The first part of the new Cam Ranh International Port is complete and inaugurated at a ceremony on March 8.

This new facility is built to handle foreign vessels. It is capable of receiving 185 ships each year, and is designed to protect ships against 8-level wind and storms. can host 18 ships at any one time, vessel up to 110,000 DWT. that means the port can even host US aircraft carriers like the actual Nimitz class.







The bay in brief: it is surrounded by the Cam Ranh peninsula in the East and the mountain in the South. The two sea mouths communicate with the sea: Large Mouth and Little Mouth. about 60 km2 in area, average depth 18 - 30m.

 

[Aqsuperman]

Turn out that we still retain these ASU-85 lol :v Probably for driver practice or infantry support

 

[Viet]

London, March 7. Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue

what the Joint communiqué has not mentioned is the implementation of the first phase of the Vietnam-UK University in Da Nang city and Vietnam welcomes UK´s presence in Asia-Pacific. translating: UK warships and aircraft carriers are welcome in the SC Sea.

Joint communiqué on fifth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue - News stories - GOV.UK
Joint communiqué on fifth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue

Minister Hugo Swire and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the fifth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue in London.

Foreign Office Minister of State Hugo Swire and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the fifth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue on 7 March 2016 in London as part of the bilateral Strategic Partnership signed in 2010.

The Dialogue is a chance to evaluate the common goals of our bilateral relationship and make recommendations for strengthening the strategic partnership in priority areas such as politics, diplomacy, trade and investment, education, training, security and defence.

Both sides welcomed official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister David Cameron and the strengthening of the strategic partnership. They agreed to continue visits and delegation exchanges between the two countries. Vietnam has been proactively pushing forward its international integration; and the UK continues to enhance its relationship with Vietnam and South East Asia.

The UK and Vietnam committed to increase cooperation in the multilateral fora and in international organisations, including the United Nations, ASEM, EU-ASEAN, especially on issues such as international law, climate change and sustainable development. Vice Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed the UK’s contribution to the preservation of peace, collaboration and development in the region.

With regard to economic cooperation, both sides weclomed the impressive bilateral trade and investment in 2015, during which bilateral trade reached $5.4 billion USD in 2015, an increase of 25% compared to 2014. UK investment into Vietnam reached $4.7 billion USD, ranking second among EU member states . Both sides agreed to continue cooperation in economics, trade and investment; enabling companies from both countries to access investment and business market potential in each country. The two sides reiterated their support for the signing and ratification of EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and realising the opportunities this offered. Vietnam welcomed the launch of the new Prosperity Fund.

Both parties emphasised the importance of education and training - one of the priority areas in the Strategic Partnership. The two sides agreed to continue close partnership to increase education effectiveness through activities such as: implementing the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education; foster the establishment of the Vietnam National Testing Center, to collaborate towards enhancing skills development and quality assurance; and improve implementation of the Newton Fund. Both sides acknowledged the contribution from UK education providers, including the British Council, and agreed to establish the relevant framework of operations for these organisations.

Both sides welcomed the positive progress in defence cooperation, especially after the establishment of respective Defence Attaché Offices in Hanoi and London; and agreed to continue defence cooperation on training, defence industry, maintain maritime peace and security.

On security, both sides welcomed the close collaboration in information sharing, technical assistance in preventing organised crime; committed to collaborating in tackling high-tech crime, cyber security, money laundering and tackling illegal migration and human trafficking.

On international and regional issues, the two sides discussed the recent developments in the Middle East, and regional issues in Europe and Asia as well as current situation in the South China Sea. Both sides shared the view that the maintenance of peace, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in the region is the common interest of the international community. Both sides underlined their shared position that territorial disputes in the region should be solved peacefully, in line with the international law. The UK reaffirmed its position in accordance with the Vietnam – EU Joint Declaration on the South China Sea and between ASEAN-EU Joint Declaration on the South China Sea.

Discussions were conducted in an atmosphere of constructive and mutual understanding, with the aim of achieving shared goals and enhancing the bilateral relationship.

 

[Viet]

Vietnam Coast Guard

Launching Metal Shark Patrol Boats for the Coast Guard. In total 30 high-speed vessels, 45 defiant class. Built by Metal Shark Company, Franklin, Louisiana.

 

[Viet]

Bell Helicopter and Vietnam Helicopter Corporation sign Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in Vietnam


Bell Helicopter Press Release
2016/03/08

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, has announced it has signed an agreement with Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (VNH) to pursue growing opportunities in the Vietnamese market.

VNH leadership joined Bell Helicopter at the company’s global headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, to sign the agreement. Bell Helicopter Photo


VNH leadership joined Bell Helicopter at the company’s global headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, to sign the agreement.

“We were delighted to host the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation leadership at our global headquarters and showcase our facility and state-of-the-art technology,” said Patrick Moulay, Bell Helicopter’s vice president of global sales and marketing. “VNH is a prestigious operator, and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation in the region and furthering our support of current and future customers.”

As a leading helicopter service provider in South East Asia with more than 30 years of experience, VNH provides a range of services including offshore transport, tourism, charter flights, Missing in Action program, search-and-rescue, as well as maintenance and training for pilots and technicians.

“This is a key relationship for Bell Helicopter,” added Moulay. “VNH will provide a wealth of customer knowledge and technical experience in Vietnam to our future customers and this signing reinforces our commitment to Vietnam and increases our level of support throughout the region.”

The representatives from VNH were given a tour through the Bell Helicopter’s global headquarters as well as an exclusive viewing of the Bell 525 Relentless flight test vehicle at the company’s XworX facility in Arlington, Texas.

Bell Helicopter and Vietnam Helicopter Corporation sign Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in Vietnam| Vertical Magazine - The Pulse of the Helicopter Industry



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Bell Helicopter is the producer of one of world's most advanced attack helicopters: Bell AH-1Z.
I hope Barack Obama brings a squadron of Bell AH-1Z, when he comes visiting Vietnam in Mai this year

 

[Viet]

Vietnam Unveils New Port Facility For Foreign Warships in Cam Ranh Bay
Hanoi inaugurates a much-awaited international port facility along the South China Sea.

A U.S. Military Sealift Command ship at anchor while undergoing a routine seven-day maintenance availability in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam in August 2011. Image Credit: Flickr/US Pacific Fleet



By Prashanth Parameswaran
March 10, 2016


On Tuesday, Vietnam inaugurated an international port facility capable of receiving foreign warships at Cam Ranh Bay along the South China Sea.

An opening ceremony was held to mark the completion of the first construction phase of the facility, called Cam Ranh International Port, located in Cam Ranh Bay, a deep-water harbor in central Vietnam along the South China Sea. The ceremony was attended by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang along with several high-ranking military leaders.

The much-anticipated move, which was initially approved by Vietnam’s defense ministry back in September 2014, is part of an ongoing effort by Hanoi to build a new dual-use facility that can accommodate and service foreign ships. The port facility would allow Vietnam to both boost its commercial attractiveness as a hub for ships as well as increase naval engagements with foreign countries amid China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

“The inauguration of the port will not only support nation building and its protection but also make it one of Vietnam’s leading deep-sea ports and supply service areas,” Sang said in his remarks at the ceremony according to Vietnam News.

Several countries had already expressed interest in potential access to the facility even before its completion. In 2012, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said during an historic visit to Cam Ranh Bay that access for U.S. naval ships into this facility is “a key component” of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship. The United States had used Cam Ranh Bay as a base during the Vietnam War, before the then-Soviet Union leased it following the end of the war in 1975.

State President Truong Tan Sang at the grand opening ceremony of the Cam Ranh international port in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, March 8, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

VN State President Truong Tan Sang shakes hands a navy officer at the opening ceremony of Cam Ranh International Port in Khanh Hoa Province on March 8, 2016. Photo: Tran Dang


But while U.S.-Vietnam defense relations have intensified over the past few years, Washington is still seeking the ability for U.S. naval vessels to make port calls or secure access to Cam Ranh Bay (See: “What’s Next for US-Vietnam Relations?”). U.S. president Barack Obama is expected to visit Vietnam in May (See: “Obama Will Visit Vietnam in May 2016 to Boost Ties”).

Apart from the United States, last year, an agreement was also reached between Vietnam and Japan for Japanese vessels to make port calls in Cam Ranh Bay (See: “Japan Warships Could Visit Vietnam Naval Base Near South China Sea in 2016”). As I noted then, the move was just the latest in a series of steps the two sides have taken to boost their defense relationship. Earlier this week, reports suggested that two Japanese warships would sail to Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay in April after first arriving in Subic Bay in the Philippines, another former U.S. base (See: “Japanese Submarine to Visit Philippines Amid South China Sea Tensions”).

Vietnamese defense officials, keen to preserve the country’s key objective of diversifying and multilateralizing its foreign relations and avoid antagonizing China, have repeatedly stressed the dual-use nature of the facility (despite the often singular emphasis on the military component) and that it would be open to all – not just a few – countries. They have also emphasized that the new port facility is separate from the country’s naval base, which is also located in Cam Ranh.

State President Truong Tan Sang (R, 7th) and other senior officials perform the ribbon-cutting rite as part of the grand opening ceremony of the Cam Ranh international port in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, March 8, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre



Though details of the new facility have not been publicly disclosed, The Diplomat understands that it has piers that will be able to receive aircraft carriers as well as submarines. Other facilities, including a repair base, warehouse, and an international maritime exhibition center are also expected to be built.

There has been no public confirmation on the final date for the completion of the second phase of the project. But Vietnamese officials, including President Sang himself, have unsurprisingly sought to emphasize the less controversial commercial component of the port facility in public remarks, including its ability to attract commercial ships for repair and refueling and becoming a model for future ports.

Cam Ranh International Port. Photo: Tuoi Tre


“We must promote the Cam Ranh international port to the world to attract major shipping brands to come to Cam Ranh for maintenance, repair, and refueling, including fresh water and food,” Sang said in his address at the opening ceremony.

According to official estimates, the total investment for the project is around two trillion dong ($89.7 million), with a quarter of that coming from PetroVietnam and the rest from Saigon New Port Corporation. Upon completion, the port, expected to be the largest in Vietnam by wharf length, will serve as a key naval maintenance and logistics facility for foreign warships, handling 18 ships at a time and receiving 185 ships annually.


Vietnam Unveils New Port Facility For Foreign Warships in Cam Ranh Bay | The Diplomat

 

[Viet]

Navy Training Sailing Ship "Le Quy Don"

Senior Lieutenant General Mai Quang Phan on March 10 attended the ceremonial ship launching for the Le Quy Don. 950 tons, length 67 metres, Caterpillar C32 engine, top speed 12 knots without using the sails, built by the Gdansk based Marine Projects Ltd (Poland).

 

[Aqsuperman]

So we put a remote weapon station...........on a training vessel...........sound legit :v lol

 

[Carlosa]

So we put a remote weapon station...........on a training vessel...........sound legit :v lol

Is this a Vietnamese made gun?