HANOI, Vietnam — On Thursday, the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam indicated the potential for collaboration between American arms manufacturers and their Vietnamese counterparts to enhance the military capabilities of Vietnam. Ambassador Mark Knapper noted, “Our objective is to guarantee that Vietnam possesses the necessary resources to safeguard its interests across various domains—at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace,” during his remarks at an international arms exhibition taking place in Hanoi.

The exhibition features around 250 exhibitors and has drawn participants from geopolitical competitors including the United States, China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Iran. The event, which is being held at the Gia Lam airport in Hanoi, is set to run until Sunday.

Exhibitors from the U.S. include major players like Boeing and Textron Aviation. China’s representation includes Norinco and Gaodu International Trade, while Iran has a defense ministry pavilion located near Israeli companies such as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. Additionally, several Russian firms are exhibiting alongside Ukraine’s Motor Sich.

Vietnam has been focusing on enhancing its local arms production and seeking to decrease its dependency on Russian military imports. In 2022, approximately 60% of Vietnam’s military acquisitions were sourced from Russia, as reported by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. However, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Vietnam’s strategy to diversify its defense imports is gaining momentum, along with initiatives to expand its domestic arms manufacturing capabilities, which were showcased at the expo.

A significant factor motivating Vietnam’s military advancements is the rising tensions in the South China Sea, a vital route for trade and security. This area has become a point of contention in Asia and symbolizes the ongoing rivalry between the U.S. and China. Vietnam has openly criticized China for its increasingly aggressive stance in these contested waters, where it shares overlapping territorial claims with other Southeast Asian nations.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh characterized the exhibition as a “message of peace, cooperation, and development.” He later toured a military aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin, underscoring the ongoing interest in defense collaboration between Vietnam and the U.S.