cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/37969795
In mid-2025, military sources in Vietnam began circulating unconfirmed rumors that new multi-billion-dollar contracts with Russia were imminent.
Documents from Rostec identify Vietnam under the discreet label “Customer 704.” According to the sources and those documents, one deal could be worth ~$8 billion and include up to 40 new fighter jets.
They’ll never see those planes.
…nor their money.
From whom should Vietnam buy planes? France, USA or China? Even the Gripen has an American engine.
Not Russia, that much is certain
Why?
Russia has been a reliable partner for many countries in Asia.
With Vietnam’s history, I don’t think it’s that certain. Eurofighter should equally have few parts from former enemies, if we ignore who fought in the French foreign legion. But I think the plane is not very popular.
What else is there? The Japanese jet was developed with the US.