Vietnam Slated to Order BrahMos and Naval Vessels from India

India and Vietnam are expanding their defense partnership through a $500 million line of credit, with $300 million already allocated to specific projects. Vietnam will acquire three to four Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and 14 high-speed patrol boats, with the final number depending on tender costs. Some OPVs may be built in Vietnam under technology transfer, marking the country’s first major purchase of Indian OPVs. The remaining $200 million will fund upgrades for Vietnam Navy ships and the procurement of submarine batteries. India has also offered maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for Vietnam’s Su-30 fighters and Kilo-class submarines, building on prior cooperation. Discussions on the BrahMos missile system are ongoing, with Vietnam and Indonesia reportedly interested in deals valued near $420 million. While India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced export orders worth ₹4000 crores ($420 million) for 2025-26, no formal agreement has been signed yet. Vietnam’s existing arsenal includes Russian K-300P Bastion-P and Redut-M missiles, which will be complemented by BrahMos if the deal proceeds. India has previously supplied naval assets, including the Khukri-class corvette INS Kirpan, now named HQ-26, and offered Akash surface-to-air missiles. India has trained Vietnamese personnel for operating Kilo-class submarines and Su-30s, reinforcing long-standing defense ties. Earlier in 2022, India delivered 12 High Speed Guard Boats to Vietnam’s Border Guard under a $100 million credit line, with some built in Vietnam’s Hong Ha Shipyard.