(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Vietnam has shown interest in acquiring F-16 fighter jets, but negotiations with the United States have stalled due to concerns that the purchase might affect its relationships with other countries, including China.
According to international news agency Reuters, Vietnam is also worried that the U.S. might not supply the missiles needed for the F-16 jets if the deal goes through.
Vietnam and China have had long-standing disputes over the South China Sea.
Hanoi is not only concerned about China’s reaction to acquiring the F-16 jets but is also wary of Russia’s response, as Russia has been a longstanding arms supplier to Vietnam.
Despite the potential need to abandon its plans to acquire F-16 fighters due to concerns over reactions from other countries, including China, Vietnam reportedly continues to pursue the purchase of C-130J transport aircraft from the United States.
The C-130 transport aircraft is considered less sensitive than the F-16 fighters and is more likely to be purchased by Vietnam, as it is seen as a defensive rather than a combat weapon.
Hanoi is indeed very interested in several American-made weapon systems, especially maritime patrol aircraft, transport aircraft, and fighter jets.
Washington’s decision to offer American-made weapons to Vietnam can be attributed to several factors.
It is likely driven by the overall U.S. strategy to strengthen diplomatic and military relations with Vietnam and its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hanoi is viewed as a key power in Southeast Asia for maintaining regional stability and countering China’s influence.
In September last year, the United States was reported to be in discussions with the Vietnamese government to finalize the largest arms sale package between the two countries, which fought a war about 50 years ago.
The initial talks about the arms sale package to Vietnam followed the historic visit of U.S. President Joe Biden to Hanoi.
It is quite remarkable that Vietnam, which once fought a war with the United States resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of its citizens, is now considering using American-made weapon systems for its defense.
Washington only lifted the arms sales embargo against Vietnam in 2016.
The relationship between Washington and Hanoi has grown closer since the end of the Vietnam War nearly five decades ago and has become increasingly strong in recent years due to the South China Sea issue.
U.S. arms sales to Vietnam, which shares a border with China and has ongoing disputes over the South China Sea, will likely strain relations between Hanoi and Beijing further.
It will also sideline Russia, which has been Vietnam’s primary arms supplier.
Sources close to the negotiations between Washington and Hanoi told Reuters last year that the arms sale package to Vietnam involves the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets.
The source also mentioned that Washington is considering offering easy and “cheap” financial packages to help Vietnam buy American-made weapons, thereby “leaving behind” the cheap Russian weapons that have been used by its armed forces for years.
Moscow supplies nearly 80 percent of Vietnam’s arms needs.
If Vietnam’s acquisition of the F-16, developed by Lockheed Martin, materializes, it will be a historic moment as the Vietnamese Air Force has long been a staunch user of Russian-made fighters such as the Su-30, Su-27, and Su-22.
Washington is expected to offer the F-16 Block 70 “Viper” variant, which is the latest version of the aircraft, equipped with various weapon systems and AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, a new mission computer, and numerous other upgrades.
It will be interesting to see Vietnam follow in the footsteps of Malaysia and Indonesia, which have integrated major Russian and Western fighters into their air force fleets,should it follow-through on its interest in acquiring the US-made F-16 fighter jets. –DSA