The US and Vietnam are in talks on a major arms deal in what would be the largest-ever weapons transfer between the two nations, Reuters reported on Friday.
The report said the deal could include Vietnam buying a fleet of US-made F-16 fighter jets, but sources told Reuters the talks were still in the early stages, and everything is subject to change. The potential weapons sale was a topic of conversation between US and Vietnamese officials in meetings over the past month.
The US has been looking to boost ties with Vietnam and other countries in the region as part of its strategy against China. Hanoi has sought to balance relations between the two powers, a strategy known as “bamboo diplomacy,” but the US and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” when President Biden visited the Southeast Asian nation earlier this month.
With the upgrade, Vietnam has elevated the US to the same diplomatic status as Russia and China. From Beijing’s perspective, any major US arms sales to Vietnam would be viewed as part of the US military buildup in the region aimed at China.
Like China, Vietnam has sweeping claims to the South China Sea, and the disputed waters are a significant source of tension between Hanoi and Beijing and an area where Vietnam could deploy F-16s.
One US aim of the potential deal is to reduce Vietnam’s reliance on Russian weapons. According to Reuters, since the US lifted an arms embargo on Vietnam in 2016, US arms exports to the country have been limited to coast guard vessels and trainer aircraft, while Russia has supplied Vietnam with 80% of its weapons.
Does it. seem strange to be arming a country that we almost destroyed?
Nothing seems strange to keep the empire’s hegemony…!
$ above all
Yes, betraying their 3M dead and dumped at sea like garbage by the USM. What a lovely world, eh??
The world is lovely it’s humanity that’s ugly as sin…
… and even more precisely, Will To Power.
Destroy then rebuild is very very profitable.
We have been urging Japan and Germany to rearm, too.
I met one of the last CIA “adviders” who left VN after their victory in the American War.. He was amazed at the amount of weaponry left behind; scattered all over the country.. Being a peaceful people, VN probably have never needed any of it..
They did use US weapons in their war with China that occurred in 1979.
Vietnam loses . US gains. Vietnam can not defend itself in any conflict with China. It would advisable for Vietnam to try diplomacy
Chinese diplomats have paid Vietnam a visit or two. Belt and Road. Belt and Road.
It was China that helped the Vietnamese defeat the yanks , Russia also helped them and it was the Chinese who helped N.K kick the yanks ass in the Korean war , the main supply line was the Ho Chi Minh trail which the yanks tried to cut even using chemical war fare I.E AGENT ORANGE .
Why would Vietnam switch to inferior US weapons?
Coercion. If they refuse we will sick the U.S. Treasury Dept on them. We are global racketeers.
The AK didn’t jam. The M-16 did.
That is true until the US fixed the problem by changing the powder, adding chrome to certain parts, and equally important providing cleaning kits. As the war drag on the M-16 became a top notch assault rife. Its off shoot, the M4, is one best guns in service
I never used the original M16. The M16-A1 had some jamming problems. Not terrible, but noticeable. The M16-A2 almost never seemed to jam. Not never, but seldom.
Do tell? Which existing Vietnam combat aircraft is better than a F-16 block 70 or 72?
I was thinking their history and location would see them leaning more toward Iranian, Russian and Chinese suppliers.
I found a typo. It’s not “bamboo diplomacy,” it’s “bamboozle diplomacy!” After sending 54,000 Americans to die in Vietnam, Captain America partners with Captain Vietnam!? Please!!!! (Sarcasm)
Vietnam and Russia are long-time friends. Yet Vietnam probably knows that if at some point Russia had to choose, it would pick Beijing over Hanoi.
Lesson from the Vietnam war: the people of Vietnam distrust all foreigners and that includes Russians and Chinese. Their politicians will make a transient deal with any foreign devil to keep other foreign devils out. The US is their current useful foreign devil. That may change any day, especially when loud-mouthed intolerable Yankee advisers return in droves to Vietnam. It is so predictable.
a fleet of F-16 fighter jets. really. has china actually been menacing vietnam over there or is just another excuse for our fearless leaders to sell weapons
Why is Vietnam doing business with the yanks after they killed at least 3 million Vietnamese civilians ? . if this isn`t a slap in the face of the Vietnamese people what the hell is .
For the same reason that every country does business with countries that they were once at war with — they see things they need and they see that the price is right.
Yeah, Vietnam needs what we’re selling like they need a hole in their heads.
Just before I retired, I help design the new fresh water plant for Ho Chi Minh City. The US company won the contract because we had the best design going. Since I was about to retire, my company decided not to send me to help with the startup. The guys who did go reported that Vietnam is very young and dynamic country which has put the war behind them and are eager to build a relationship with the US. And since Vietnam has order 50 Boeing 737-Max, they are interested in our products.
Evil always comes back. Gonna bring back the French too? How bout the Chinese? Careful on who you let in the front door. Keep an eye on the backdoor and don’t leave it unlocked let alone ajar.
Uncle Joe the racketeer.
Well said OG1, well said!