List of equipment of the Vietnam People's Ground Forces

Vietnam People's Army

Ministry of Defence Command General Staff Services Ground Force Air Force Navy Border Guard Coast Guard Ranks of the Vietnamese Military Ground Force ranks and insignia Air Force ranks and insignia Navy ranks and insignia Border Guard ranks and insignia Coast Guard ranks and insignia History of the Vietnamese Military History of Vietnamese military ranks Military history of Vietnam

Vietnamese Army troops on Spratly Island.

During the Vietnam War (1965–1975) and the Cambodian–Vietnamese War (1977–1989), Vietnam People's Ground Forces relied almost entirely on the weapons and equipment systems derived from the Soviet Union. Since the Soviet collapse in 1991, the period of low cost military equipment for Vietnam ended and Vietnam began the use of hard currency and barter to buy weapons and equipment.

Vietnam prioritises economic development and growth while maintaining defence spending in a trickle. Vietnam does not conduct the procurement phase or major upgrade of weapons. From the end of the 1990s the Government of Vietnam has announced the acquisition of a number of strategic systems equipped with modern weapons. Accordingly, Vietnam has been slow to develop naval and air forces to control shallow waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Currently most defence procurement programs are primarily made to remedy this priority. For example, Vietnam has purchased a number of combat aircraft and warships that have the ability to combat in high seas. Vietnam also plans to develop the defence industry, with priority for the Navy, combined with its former communist allies and India.^[1][2]

Since 2015, Vietnam has start to exploring American and European weapons although facing numerous political, historical and financial barriers, as they cannot continue to relied with Soviet and Chinese weapons especially due to continuous China's aggression in the South China Sea dispute.^[3]

Ground vehicles

Current

Vehicle	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Tanks
T-62		Main battle tank	USSR	220[4]
T-54/55		Main battle tank	USSR	990+[4][5]
Type-59		Main battle tank	China	350[4]
Type 62		Light tank	China	200[6]
PT-76		Light tank	USSR	300[4]
Type-63		Amphibious light tank	China	120
Armoured vehicle
M113		Tracked armoured personnel carrier	USA	200[4]
Type 63		Tracked armoured personnel carrier	China	100[4][7]
BMP-1		Infantry fighting vehicle	USSR	150[7]
BMP-2		Infantry fighting vehicle	USSR	150[7]
BTR-152		Wheeled armoured personnel carrier	USSR	400[7]
BTR-60 (8x8)		Wheeled armoured personnel carrier	USSR	500[7]
V-150 (4x4)		Wheeled armoured personnel carrier	USA	200
BRDM-1		Reconnaissance vehicle	USSR	150[4][7]
BRDM-2		Reconnaissance vehicle	USSR	150[4][7]
Artillery
SS-1 Scud B/C/D		Tactical ballistic missile	USSR	24 launchers[8]
BM-14		140mm multiple rocket launcher	USSR	unknown
BM-21		122mm multiple rocket launcher	USSR	unknown
2S3 Akatsiya		152mm self-propelled artillery	USSR	30[7]
2S1 Gvozdika		122mm self-propelled artillery	USSR	unknown
ASU-85		85mm self-propelled artillery	USSR	unknown
M114 towed howitzer		155mm towed artillery	USA	unknown
M1955 (D-20) towed gun-howitzer		152mm towed artillery	USSR	unknown
M1954 (M-46) towed field gun		130mm towed artillery	USSR	unknown
2A18 (D-30) towed howitzer		122mm towed artillery	USSR	unknown
Utility
ZIL-130		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
ZIL-131		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
ZIS-151		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
ZIL-157		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
CA-30		General purpose truck	China	unknown
Ural-375D		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
GAZ-66		General purpose truck	USSR	unknown
KrAZ-255		General purpose truck	Ukraine	unknown
UAZ-469		All terrain vehicle	USSR	unknown
UAZ-452/452D (4x4)		Van-type transport vehicle	USSR	unknown
UAZ-2206 (4x4)		Van-type transport vehicle	USSR	unknown
UAZ-3741 (4x4)		Van-type transport vehicle	USSR	unknown
UAZ-39625 (4x4)		Van-type transport vehicle	USSR	unknown
UAZ-3909i (4x4)		Van-type ambulance transport vehicle	USSR	unknown
MAZ-535		Artillery tractor	USSR	unknown

Former

Vehicle	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Tanks
M48 Patton		Medium tank	USA	60	In storage.
M41		Light tank	USA	100	In storage.
SU-100		Tank destroyer	USSR	100	In storage.
T-34		Medium tank	USSR	45	In storage.
Artillery
M107		175mm self-propelled artillery	USA	5	In storage.
Katyusha		132mm multiple rocket launcher	USSR	200	In storage.
Utility
M35 (6x6)		Cargo truck	USA	unknown
M151 (4x4)		Personal transport jeep	USA	unknown

Weapons

Ground defence

Model	Image	Type	Diameter	Origin	Notes
Land mine
MD-82		Land mine	53mm	Vietnam	Anti-personnel blast mine.

Firearms

Model	Image	Type	Calibre	Origin	Notes
Pistols
TT-33		Semi-automatic pistol	7.62×25mm Tokarev	USSR	Used by militia force.
PMM		Semi-automatic pistol	9×18mm Makarov	USSR	Standard issue service pistol.
APS		Machine pistol	9×18mm Makarov	USSR	Standard issue service pistol.
Type-54		Semi-automatic pistol	7.62×25mm Tokarev	China	Chinese copy of TT-33.
CZ-52		Semi-automatic pistol	7.62×25mm Tokarev	Czech Republic	Used by special forces.
CZ-83		Semi-automatic pistol	9×18mm Makarov	Czech Republic
M1911		Semi-automatic pistol	.45 ACP	USA	Used by militia force.
Submachine guns
FB PM-63		Submachine gun	9×18mm Makarov	Poland	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
MP5A4		Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	West Germany	Used by the People's Public Security SWAT teams.
Uzi		Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Israel	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
MiniUzi		Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Israel	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
MicroUzi		Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Israel	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
Assault rifles
AKM		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm M43	USSR  Vietnam	Standard issue service rifle. Manufactured locally.
AKS-74U		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm M43	USSR	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
Galil ACE		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm M43	Israel  Vietnam	Standard issue service rifle. Manufactured locally.[9][10]
IWI Tavor TAR-21		Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Israel  Vietnam	Manufactured locally.[9][10]
vz. 58		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Czechoslovakia	Limited use.[11]
FN FNC		Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium
CAR-15 XM177E2		Carbine	5.56×45mm NATO	USA	Used by special forces.
SKS-45		Carbine	7.62×39mm M43	USSR	Limited to ceremonial purposes. Used by honour guards.
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVD		Sniper rifle	7.62×54mmR	USSR	Standard issue sniper rifle.
Dragunov SVU		Sniper rifle	7.62×54mmR	Russia	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
Machine guns
RPK		Light machine gun	7.62×39mm M43	USSR	Standard issue machine gun.
PKM		General-purpose machine gun	7.62×54mmR	USSR	Standard issue machine gun.
NSV		Heavy machine gun	12.7×108mm	USSR  Vietnam	Standard issue machine gun. Manufactured locally.[12]
RPD-44		Light machine gun	7.62×39mm	USSR	Limited use.
Minimi Mk3		Light machine gun	5.56×45mm NATO	Belgium	Limited use in special forces and Military Marksman Demonstration Team.[13]
M240B		General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	Belgium  USA	Used by Military Marksman Demonstration Team.
Grenade-based weapons
GP-25		Grenade launcher	40mm grenade	USSR	Used by special forces (Dac Cong).
M203		Grenade launcher	40mm grenade	USA	Used on the IMI Tavor TAR-21.
M79		Grenade launcher	40mm grenade	USA  Vietnam	Standard issue. Manufactured locally.[14]
MGL Mk-1		Grenade launcher	40mm grenade	South Africa	Limited use by special forces.[15]
AGS-17		Grenade launcher	30mm grenade	USSR	Standard issue. Manufactured locally.
Mortars
M1943		Mortar	160mm mortar	USSR
PM-43		Mortar	120mm mortar	USSR
M1938		Mortar	107mm mortar	USSR
82-PM-41		Mortar	81mm mortar	USSR
Portable anti-materiel weapons
B-10		Anti-tank recoilless rifle	82mm HEAT	USSR
ĐKZ-1		Anti-tank recoilless rifle	73mm HEAT	USSR
M72 LAW		Anti-tank weapon	66mm HEAT	USA
9M113 Konkurs		Guided anti-tank missile	135mm HEAT	USSR
9M14 Malyutka		Guided anti-tank missile	125mm HEAT	USSR
9K111 Fagot		Guided anti-tank missile	75mm HEAT	USSR
MATADOR		Anti-armour	90mm anti-armour	Singapore  Israel  Germany	[16]
RPG-29		Rocket-propelled grenade	105mm HEAT	USSR
RPG-7		Rocket-propelled grenade	40mm HEAT	USSR	Standard issue.

Former firearms

Model	Image	Type	Calibre	Origin	Notes
Pistol
P-64 CZAK		Semi-automatic pistol	9×18mm Makarov	Poland	Phased out after Vietnam War.
Assault rifles
AK-47		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm M43	USSR	Replaced by locally produced AKM.
Type 56		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	China	Replaced by locally produced AKM.
M16		Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	USA	Decommissioned due to lack of ammo. In storage.
M16A1		Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	USA	Decommissioned due to lack of ammo. In storage.
AMD 65		Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Hungary	Decommissioned due to lack of ammo. In storage.
M14		Battle rifle	7.62×51mm NATO .308 Winchester	USA	Decommissioned due to lack of ammo. In storage.
Machine guns
M1919 Browning		Medium machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	USA	In storage.
M2 Browning		Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)	USA	Decommissioned due to lack of parts. In storage.
DShK		Heavy machine gun	12.7×108mm	USSR	Replaced by locally produced NSV.
M60		General-purpose machine gun	7.62×51mm NATO	USA	Decommissioned due to lack of parts. In storage.
Grenade-based weapon
Kbkg wz. 1960		Grenade launcher		Poland	In storage.
Portable anti-materiel weapon
B-11		Anti-tank recoilless rifle	107mm HEAT	USSR
M40		Anti-tank recoilless rifle	106mm HEAT	USA
M18		Anti-tank recoilless rifle	57mm HEAT	USA
Type 69 RPG		Rocket-propelled grenade	40mm HEAT	China	Replaced by RPG-7V due to the lack of accuracy and penetration.

Procurement

In 2006, Israel reported to the United Nations Register Organisation of Conventional Arms (UNROCA) that two of its light armoured vehicles had been sold to Vietnam.^[17] A number of Israeli companies won a bid to modernise and upgrade T-54/55 tanks as well establishing factories in the country. Israel's program includes upgrading armour, night vision system and a fire control system upgrade (produced in Poland). On May 2002, Vietnam and Ukraine reached an agreement of military technical co-operation which extended to 2005. Accordingly, Ukraine will support Vietnam primarily to upgrade armour and artillery, weapons co-production and repair.^[17] In February 2005, the Ministry of Defence of Finland ceded to Vietnam about 70 tanks T-54 and T-55 from the Soviet era. In early March 2005, Poland signed a contract to sell to Vietnam 150 T-72 tanks which would've been used to support training, ammunition, equipment maintenance and repair but this contract was cancelled in 2006 because Vietnam wanted to investment more on its Navy and Air Force.^[17] In addition to upgrading tanks, the Ministry of Defence of Vietnam signed a military co-operation agreement with Russia. The Vietnamese have also developed the capacity to produce their own equipment and repaired existing equipment.

See also

• Vietnam People's Army

References

1. "Tạp chí Bộ Ngoại giao Trung Quốc đánh giá về chiến lược và sức mạnh quân sự của Việt Nam" (in Vietnamese). VNTime. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
2. Sergei Blagov (5 September 2003). "Russian missiles to guard skies over Vietnam". Asia Times. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
3. Wendell Minnick (31 August 2015). "Vietnam Pushes Modernization as China Challenge Grows". Defense News. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
4. "Vietnam Army Equipment". Global Security. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
5. "Vietnamese armed forces modernize its fleet of main battle tanks T-55 to the standard T-54/T-55M3". Army Recognition. 25 March 2012. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
6. "North Vietnamese Armor (The Communists AFV)". Vietnam Research. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
7. "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
8. Brianna Starosciak (5 January 2012). "Worldwide Ballistic Missile Inventories (See Vietnam)". Arms Control Association; Missile Defense Agency; US Department of Defense; Congressional Research Service; National Air and Space Intelligence Center; US Department of State; Federation of American Scientists. Arms Control Association. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
9. Yuval Azulai (18 July 2012). "Israel's defense industry targets Vietnam". Globes. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
10. Jon Grevatt (3 February 2014). "Israel Weapon Industries to begin assault rifle production in Vietnam". IHS Jane’s 360. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
11. "Việt Nam mua nhiều vũ khí từ CH Czech" (in Vietnamese). BBC News. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
12. "Sức mạnh T-54/55 Việt Nam tăng đáng kể" (in Vietnamese). Báo Đất Việt. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
13. "Mổ xẻ' biến thể mới nhất súng máy FN Minimi Việt Nam" (in Vietnamese). Kiến Thức. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
14. "Việt Nam sửa chữa súng phóng lựu Mỹ" (in Vietnamese). Báo Đất Việt. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
15. "Việt Nam chế tạo súng phóng lựu tự động" (in Vietnamese). Báo Đất Việt. 29 January 2012. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
16. "Vũ khí mới của quân đội Việt Nam" (in Vietnamese). Báo Đất Việt. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
17. Carlyle A. Thayer (30 April 2009). "Vietnam People’s Army: Development and Modernization" (PDF). Sultan Haji Bolkiah Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Cite Seer X, National Science Foundation (NSF). p. 10/41. Retrieved 25 April 2016.