Creating new momentum for international cooperation in the defense industry

Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense, will take place from December 19-22 at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi.

The activities aim to contribute to strengthening international cooperation in the defense industry; sharing experiences, receiving and transferring technology; grasping advanced technology trends in the world so that we can research, design, and manufacture weapons and technical equipment to meet military and defense requirements and tasks in the new situation.

At the same time, the Exhibition promotes and introduces products and brands of Vietnamese defense industry products; promotes trade, seeks partners, cooperation opportunities, and approaches potential markets to participate in the supply chain of defense industry products to reach the world market.

Sharing about their participation at the Exhibition, the US and French partners both expressed their desire to deepen the friendly relationship with Vietnam, including the field of defense cooperation in general and defense industry in particular.

Impressed by the professional organization

Speaking at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command; Permanent Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper all expressed their impressions of the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.

“The exhibition was very professionally organized, very wonderful, and we were very impressed with the performances at the Opening Ceremony. Regarding the message that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave in his speech: “Peace-Cooperation-Development,” this is a message that the United States shares very much. We look forward to deepening our friendship with Vietnam and increasing cooperation with Vietnam in this area,” said Ambassador Marc Knapper.

International delegates attend the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024. (Photo: Van Diep/VNA)

The US Ambassador to Vietnam also said that participating in the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, “The United States sent a delegation of defense company representatives, with an unprecedented and historic scale… The US participation in this Exhibition also demonstrates the US commitment to the bilateral relationship with Vietnam….”

Speaking to the press, Admiral Samuel Paparo expressed his delight at the strong development of the US-Vietnam relationship in recent times, especially the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development in September 2023; stating that this is "a source of great pride for both the United States and Vietnam."

According to Admiral Samuel Paparo, in the field of defense, the two countries have had close cooperation in various fields and tasks and have worked together to build capacity.

“I think capacity building cooperation for both sides is beneficial for both countries and does not harm the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all countries in the region. Looking forward, the two countries will continue to cooperate in areas such as maritime security; capacity building, maritime space awareness…,” said Admiral Samuel Paparo.

Admiral Samuel Paparo assessed that Vietnam has an equal role with all countries. Vietnam is “independent, protects its own interests and contributes to the international community.” “Vietnam has participated in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and military medicine cooperation activities, contributing to promoting ASEAN’s central role, promoting a rules-based international order, for stability, independence, and development in the region.”

The massive presence, with an unprecedented scale, "both in terms of personnel and equipment" of the United States at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 clearly demonstrates the United States' commitment and strong support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam in general, and the modernization efforts of the Vietnam People's Army in particular.

International delegates attend the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024. (Photo: Van Diep/VNA)

“We always welcome opportunities for stronger cooperation with Vietnam and countries in the region, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal.

Accompanying the goal of modernizing the Vietnam People's Army

According to information from the French Embassy in Vietnam, the French delegation attending the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 is led by Major General Caroline Salahun, Deputy Director in charge of the Asia-Pacific region of the General Department of Armaments (DGA).

The DGA is responsible for equipping the French military, supporting the export activities of defense companies and promoting international cooperation in the field of armaments. Also participating in the event were the Group of Arms Industries and Army Operations, the Group of Arms Industries and Navy Operations.

According to French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet, the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 continues to demonstrate the desire to affirm the capacity of the Vietnamese defense industry after the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition was successfully held for the first time in 2022, thereby creating opportunities to promote military and defense cooperation between Vietnam and other countries.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet affirmed that France's delegation to attend the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024 aims to contribute to realizing the orientations set by General Secretary and President (now General Secretary) To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron when announcing the upgrading of bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024.

Specifically, the two sides committed to developing defense relations to increase self-reliance, in accordance with the needs of each side. To achieve this goal, the two sides decided to create new momentum for cooperation in the defense industry through research, proposals and implementation of structural projects.

Recognizing that Vietnam’s defense industry has great potential and plays an important role in the effort to modernize the Vietnam People’s Army, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet emphasized that French defense enterprises are ready to accompany Vietnamese defense enterprises in this effort; at the same time, he expressed his belief that there will be great opportunities for defense industry cooperation between the two sides./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tao-dong-luc-moi-cho-hop-tac-quoc-te-trong-linh-vuc-cong-nghiep-quoc-phong-post1003132.vnp