Vietnam is emerging as a major opportunity for India’s expanding defence export ambitions, with cooperation expected to grow well beyond the proposed sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. Strategic experts and industry officials said Hanoi is increasingly looking at India as a reliable defence partner as it seeks to diversify military procurement and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
India and Vietnam have significantly strengthened defence ties over the past few years through naval cooperation, training programmes, defence credit lines and joint military engagements. Analysts said Vietnam’s modernisation plans could open opportunities for Indian exports in areas such as naval patrol vessels, coastal surveillance systems, radars, electronic warfare equipment, drones, missile systems, maintenance support and defence electronics. The proposed BrahMos deal is seen as a gateway for broader long-term defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam has already received Indian-built high-speed patrol boats under a $100 million line of credit extended by New Delhi, while discussions continue on expanding defence manufacturing partnerships and technology transfers. Defence observers noted that India’s push for indigenous defence production under the “Make in India” initiative is helping domestic companies position themselves competitively in Southeast Asian markets.
Industry executives said growing geopolitical uncertainties in the Indo-Pacific region and Vietnam’s strategic balancing efforts are likely to accelerate defence engagement with India. They added that stronger bilateral cooperation could also support India’s target of substantially increasing defence exports over the coming years while enhancing its strategic presence in the ASEAN region.
