The elevation of US-Vietnam relations from “Comprehensive Partnership” to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” raises questions on the future trajectory of their military ties.
Recently, US President Biden visited Vietnam. One of the most noteworthy outcomes was the mutual agreement to upgrade their relationship from a “Comprehensive Partnership” to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” US officials have expressed that the US and its partners could assist Vietnam in reducing its dependency on Russian military equipment.
The US’s donation of patrol vessels to Vietnam is seen as an attempt to gain a stronger foothold in the South China Sea situation, thereby possibly destabilizing the region. Vietnam, on the other hand, leverages the US’s stance to procure equipment. This intricate play of interests could potentially affect peace and stability in the South China Sea.
US Draws Closer to Vietnam by Continuously Donating Military Equipment
Reports suggest that one of the objectives of the visit was to diversify Vietnam’s arms sources. On his flight to Vietnam, US Deputy National Security Advisor mentioned that the security domain is part of the collaborative framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. No arms deals were announced at the moment, but the US and its partners are poised to assist Vietnam in minimizing its dependency on Russian arms.
Despite past confrontations, the US and Vietnam have come closer over time due to mutual interests. The collaboration in the military domain has been proceeding with caution. In 2007, the US amended its arms trade policies, allowing the sale of non-lethal weapons to Vietnam. From 2007 to 2010, the US sold defense materials worth $98.5 million to Vietnam. By 2014, the US partially lifted the arms sale ban to Vietnam, allowing the sale of maritime security-related weaponry.
In May 2016, then-US President Obama announced the complete lifting of the arms sale ban to Vietnam during his visit, emphasizing that each deal would be scrutinized. This groundbreaking move was followed by the US’s decision to gift decommissioned patrol vessels to Vietnam. One such vessel, the USCGC Morgenthau, was delivered to Vietnam in December 2017. This patrol vessel, now under the command of the Vietnamese Coast Guard, was renumbered CSB8020.
Morgenthau, a Hamilton-class cutter, was commissioned in 1969 and is equipped with a 76mm main gun, 20mm Phalanx CIWS, and a helicopter, making it a formidable asset for Vietnam’s naval forces. Notably, this vessel participated in the US-Vietnam war, causing significant damage to North Vietnamese vessels.
By May 2020, Vietnam received a second Hamilton-class cutter from the US, and a third is planned, although not yet delivered.
Apart from these vessels, the US has also gifted Vietnam several Metal Shark-class patrol boats, nimble vessels capable of reaching speeds of 70 km/h and accommodating up to ten crew members.
Hidden Agendas? A Fragile Foundation for Military Cooperation
The provision of training aircraft and the tacit approval for Israel to sell arms to Vietnam falls under the realm of arms trade. After delivering the patrol vessels, Vietnam began exploring primary trainer aircraft from the US. In 2021, the US Air Force agreed to sell 3 T-6 propeller-driven trainer aircraft to Vietnam. These aircraft will be handed over by mid-2023 at the latest.
Vietnam might also look to procure surveillance radars, second-hand E-2C airborne early warning aircraft, counter-artillery radars, and Javelin anti-tank missiles, all of which the Vietnamese military currently lacks.
It’s common knowledge that a large portion of Vietnam’s military equipment is of Soviet origin. Following the Cold War, Russia became Vietnam’s primary arms supplier. The US’s claim of assisting Vietnam to shed its dependency on Russian arms seems exaggerated, given the intricacies of transitioning from Russian to Western systems.
In essence, while the US and Vietnam’s partnership aims for mutual benefits, the intricate dynamics and differing agendas could constrain the full blossoming of their military cooperation.
Source: ThePaper
