Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of his first trip to Asia following the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Though once bitter enemies, the trip marks 30 years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations and two years since the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Hegseth's visit acknowledged the painful legacy of the Vietnam War while advancing defense cooperation (US to Sell F-16 Fighters to People's Republic of Vietnam) amid regional tensions, attempting to assuage concerns over U.S. reliability in the Indo-Pacific as the U.S. defense strategy changes focuse to homeland defense and dominating the Western hemisphere, as well as our concerns about Vietnam cozying up with partners like Russia (Putin's Visit to North Korea and Vietnam May Have Done Him More Harm Than Good).
Hegseth attended a welcome ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters hosted by Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang. I have to admit that hearing a Vietnamese military band play the Star-Spangled Banner in Hanoi was a bit disorienting.
The talks focused on deepening bilateral defense ties, including opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and the supply of military equipment. Hegseth pledged U.S. support for Vietnam's defense modernization, highlighting the transfer of three patrol boats to the Vietnam Coast Guard and three T-6 trainer aircraft (out of 12 ordered). In particular, Vietnam is interested in acquiring Sikorsky S-92 medium-lift helicopters, CH-47 heavy-lift helicopters, and C-130 cargo planes.
Vietnam is diversifying its suppliers. There are reports that Vietnam is considering the purchase of 40 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and Russian air defense systems. It is also exploring defense cooperation with Finland, Turkey, Israel, and North Korea.
They also talked about issues revolving around the Vietnam War, such as unexploded ordnance clearance, recovery of U.S. service member remains, and Agent Orange dioxin cleanup.
There are major national security issues confronting Hanoi, where a friend in D.C., should that friend be vaguely interested in the happenings in Asia, could be very helpful. Parenthetically, I'm not convinced that a War Department whose strategy is run by Elbridge Colby, a guy who seems to share the Nixon-Kissinger view that China is not a threat and is best managed by not offending it, can be that friend. Thailand and Cambodia have just concluded a nasty little border war that seems about to break into open fighting again. Vietnam could find itself dragged into that. China is investing heavily in the Vietnamese economy, which brings with it Chinese influence and control. Vietnam is heavily dependent upon Chinese raw materials and exports to the United States. China also claims islands in the South China Sea that Vietnam claims.
Hegseth's visit was cordial, but it remains to be seen if he was able to convince Vietnam that we are a reliable partner in the region.
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