Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (Photo: Duc Hoang).
On the morning of December 19, at Gia Lam Airport (Hanoi), the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 took place.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, commented: “Today, we would like to congratulate Vietnam on the successful opening of the 2024 International Defense Exhibition. This is a magnificent and impressive performance organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, demonstrating the military strength and precision in the activities of the Vietnam People's Army.”
“Today, we are here, bringing equipment, weapons, and personnel to represent the US participation in the event,” he said. This year’s exhibition brought the US military aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II and the C-130J transport aircraft to display. In addition, US defense companies also attended the event in large numbers.
The US Admiral reviewed cooperation activities between the two sides in recent times, such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, military medicine, efforts to clear mines, and heal the wounds of war...
“I believe that the future ahead for our two countries is very bright, in which we will cooperate with each other in the spirit of equality, respecting each country's sovereignty and independence, ensuring an open and free Indo-Pacific region,” he emphasized.
In addition, Admiral Paparo was asked how the election of US President Donald Trump next year will affect cooperation between the two countries.
“I believe this event will have little impact and will not change the policies and objectives set by the Indo-Pacific Command. In the coming time, we will continue to maintain the activities as we have been doing in the past,” he emphasized.
Speaking at the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper assessed the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 as very impressive and professional.
“The US participation in the Exhibition demonstrates the commitment of the US government and the US defense industry to support Vietnam in diversifying and modernizing its military. The US is committed to working closely with Vietnam to help Vietnam have a strong capacity to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is a key principle in the bilateral relationship and defense cooperation between the two countries.”
The US Ambassador said Washington agrees with the message Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated in his speech about Vietnam's desire to cooperate, develop friendship and peace with countries around the world.
He hopes that more and more US defense companies will come to Vietnam to cooperate in the field of technology transfer. He shared that this year, the US sent to the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition an unprecedented delegation of defense companies.
At the event, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal said: “We are here today to demonstrate the strong support of the United States for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam. We strongly support the modernization efforts of the Vietnamese military. Hopefully, we will continue to work together to seek opportunities and expand cooperation in the defense and defense industry sectors.”
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