anyone got pictures of the current vietnamese military hardwares?  kinda interested in seeing how the vietnamese army/navy/airforce look like.

Thanks for sharing.  The pics look pretty cool.

How is vietnam shipbuilding industry?  Is it capable of building commercial tankers and other large vessels?

Biggest oil tanker launched

The Bach Dang Shipyard, a member of the Vietnam National Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (VINASHINB) early this morning successfully launched VINASHIN SEA, an oil tanker of 13,500 tonnes, the biggest oil tanker launched so far in Vietnam.

The oil tanker is made on order from VINASHIN Ocean Transport Company. It is 145.3 metres long, 20.8 metres wide and 11.2 metres high. The shipbuilding process was made under the supervision of Japan’s ship registering NK and according to ISO 9001-2000 quality standards. The key engine has a capacity of 5,180 KW from MAN B&W.

The successful building and launching of the tanker has affirmed the skill of Vietnamese shipbuilders, marking a significant development for Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry.

The same day, the Bach Dang Shipyard also kicked off construction of a 22.500 tonne-vessel for the Vietnam National Shipping Lines Corporation and another 10,500 tonne ship named Noma 2 for Japan’s Noma Company.

Thanks for sharing.  The pics look pretty cool.

How is vietnam shipbuilding industry?  Is it capable of building commercial tankers and other large vessels?

Most of it is Russian/Chinese technology. So very similar to the Chinese military hardware, the Vietnamese airforce of today is nearly exclusively built off Russian and Chinese MiGs. Which model i'm not too sure.

probably some ordinary guys.  And if it is just some ordinary guys, guess how easy it would be for a real spy to infiltrate.

Englanda Posted Today, 05:29 AM
  Whoa ... who the hell got so close and took these pics? Bravo!!! 'Cos the Vietnamese military is very secretive.

More pictures please!

Tarantul class missile boats Viet Nam bought from Russia.


Minh Khai-09 class built in Viet Nam.


Coast Guard patrol boats SAR-272 and SAR-57 built by VINASHIN.

As you wish...

Su-27SK Flankers.

These pictures were taken from HTV1 back in 2003 when the Vietnamese air force
celebrated 40 years since creation in 1963.




MiG-21 fighters.

Those plane need a better paint job and the pilots and personel need better uniforms.  Outer appearance is everything.  Make Vietnam look tougher.

Su-22M4 attack aircrafts, I think these planes are getting new upgrades.

Ummmmm isn't the point of a military is to defend the country?  Who cares what paint job it has if it can do the job?  If Vietnamese were concerned about how they look during war rather than how to fight then I dont' think it would have won all those wars.

Besides, having a bad appearance is advantageous as it makes any potential enemy more likely to underestimate Vietnam and thus they will not give it their 100% when fighting.

I wouldn't be surprised if Vietnam only releases photographs of old looking vehicles because they keep their real new stuff secret.

What I mean by that is that the Vietnamese Army as well as navy and airforces need to invest in modern technologies.  If we don't do that, we might be at a great disadvangtage when there is a conflict.  Plus, China is modernizing its military so I think Vietnam should do the same.  Looking great isn't a bad thing, it detered your enemy from attacking you.  Now that is a great defense against all foreign agression.

Is this picture taken before 1975? They're wearing flip flops...hahaha...Damn, our soldiers look so skinny and small. But they fight like crazy.  2

What I mean by that is that the Vietnamese Army as well as navy and airforces need to invest in modern technologies.  If we don't do that, we might be at a great disadvangtage when there is a conflict.  Plus, China is modernizing its military so I think Vietnam should do the same.  Looking great isn't a bad thing, it detered your enemy from attacking you.  Now that is a great defense against all foreign agression.

What I mean by that is that the Vietnamese Army as well as navy and airforces need to invest in modern technologies.  If we don't do that, we might be at a great disadvangtage when there is a conflict.  Plus, China is modernizing its military so I think Vietnam should do the same.  Looking great isn't a bad thing, it detered your enemy from attacking you.  Now that is a great defense against all foreign agression.

Country briefing: Vietnam - off the ground

By Robert Karniol JDW Asia Pacific Editor
Bangkok

The Vietnam People's Army (VPA) began to emphasise a new defence posture in the early 1990s, with force development mirroring its priorities. This posture is characterised by lessened dependence on a large standing ground force together with enhancement of the navy and air force.

Most defence equipment was supplied by the former Soviet Union as military aid, averaging USD1.5 billion annually in the early 1980s. This support had virtually dried up by 1987 and ended in 1990, but Russia continues as Hanoi's main supplier through defence sales.

Other major sources of military equipment include the Czech Republic, India, France, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. Both Belarus and China's NORINCO have representative offices in Hanoi, suggesting some activity, and there has been at least one major arms deal with North Korea involving the acquisition of 'Scud' surface-to-surface missiles and Sang-o class mini-submarines. Belgium, Germany, Singapore, South Korea and the UK are among suppliers that have moved to penetrate Vietnam's defence market and Israel has also made some sales.

Modernisation

The army is today substantially smaller, though still a sizeable force, and remains primarily focused on the continental defence of Vietnam. Most of its equipment dates from the second Indochina war, with efforts continuing to keep this kit operational. There are nevertheless some modest modernisation initiatives evident.

In the area of armour, the army earlier in 2005 sought to acquire up to 150 main battle tanks (MBTs) from Polish Army stocks and a quantity of 40-year-old T-54/55 MBTs from Finland. Both deals are thought to still await finalisation and the army is meanwhile seeking to upgrade armour and systems on its own MBTs.

China's NORINCO has been providing Vietnam with ammunition for artillery and small arms, together with military vehicles, and has helped develop local manufacturing capabilities in ammunition and heavy machine guns. Slovenia sold Vietnam two pontoon bridges at USD9 million each in 2004 and, under a 2003 agreement, a Belgian supplier is helping the VPA upgrade a 7.62 mm ammunition production facility.

The special forces are known to have gained greater priority within the past 18 months, particularly in developing their counter-terrorism capabilities. Little is known of this activity beyond the acquisition of some Uzi-type assault rifles and sniper rifles from Croatia. A single armoured vehicle fitted with the MARS assault system pod has also been obtained from the US, while naval special forces bought a batch of rebreather systems of unknown origin in 1999 and were expected to obtain more.

The PAVN Navy is still mostly made up of small missile boats.  In any future conflict, blue water power projection is a must, so it would be wise to acquire more frigates and destroyers instead of the current inventory of local patrol ships.

How about a battle ship or destroyer!