How one can learn Vietnam’s F-16 buy

HO CHI MINH CITY – Vietnam is reportedly poised to buy F-16 fighter jets from america, a deal that will mark a profound shift in Vietnam’s protection procurement technique away from long-standing dependence on Russian weaponry and towards a extra diversified and geopolitically calculated method.

A 1945 report says that the acquisition, though no numbers have been revealed, is predicted to be for not less than 24 plane. The report says if and when F-16s are mixed with different US platforms Vietnam needs, together with C-130 Hercules transport planes, “it might all add as much as the largest protection association ever reached between the 2 nations.”

This improvement comes as Vietnam faces rising challenges, each economically and strategically. In early 2025, the Trump administration introduced steep 46% “reciprocal” tariffs on Vietnamese items, together with textiles and electronics, citing commerce imbalances and forex manipulation.

This commerce strain, mixed with intensifying US-China competitors and a waning Russia, locations Vietnam at a important juncture in balancing its overseas and protection coverage.

For many years, Vietnam’s air drive has relied on Soviet- and Russian-made fighters—MiG-21s, Su-22s, and Su-30MK2s. These methods served Vietnam effectively by the Chilly Conflict and into the early twenty first century.

However immediately, that dependency presents actual dangers. Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its ensuing diplomatic and logistical isolation have slowed its arms manufacturing and disrupted international protection provide chains. Upkeep, spare components and modernization have grow to be more and more tough to safe.

Vietnam, like many Southeast Asian states, is now in search of to cut back overreliance on a single provider. Enter the US-made F-16—a flexible, cost-effective, and broadly used fighter jet.

Whereas it isn’t essentially the most superior plane within the US arsenal, its interoperability with allied methods and relative ease of integration make it a horny possibility for international locations in transition. Nonetheless, Hanoi’s resolution is about greater than {hardware}. It displays a broader strategic recalibration.

Vietnam’s overseas coverage doctrine—particularly its “4 No’s” precept (no army alliances, no overseas bases, no siding with one nation in opposition to one other, and no use of drive in worldwide relations)—emphasizes independence and multilateralism.

The F-16 buy matches inside this framework, permitting Vietnam to modernize whereas avoiding the notion of falling into Washington’s orbit.

Slightly than signaling alignment with the US, the deal is healthier understood as an assertion of Vietnam’s strategic autonomy. By partaking with a number of protection companions—together with Israel, India, Japan, South Korea, and several other EU international locations—Vietnam is positioning itself as a regional energy with choices.

The regional context is essential. Southeast Asia has grow to be a theater of strategic maneuvering, with China asserting itself by financial affect and army presence, notably within the contested South China Sea, the place the 2 sides have overlapping claims.

On the identical time, the US has sought to reestablish its credibility as a safety accomplice. International locations within the area will not be selecting sides, however somewhat hedging—constructing ties with all powers whereas sustaining sovereignty.

Examples abound: Indonesia is buying French-made Rafales and US F-15EX plane. The Philippines is deepening its army cooperation with the US whereas additionally buying Indian BrahMos missiles. Thailand traditionally flies US and European fighters however is pursuing Chinese language-made submarines.

Vietnam’s calculated transfer matches this sample. It seeks to protect peace and stability whereas signaling its willingness to adapt. The F-16 deal additionally opens doorways for future cooperation in areas like pilot coaching, intelligence sharing, logistics and joint workout routines—all with out violating Vietnam’s core ideas.

Domestically, the transfer carries combined perceptions. Older generations, with deep reminiscences of Soviet help throughout wartime, might really feel uneasy.

However youthful Vietnamese—particularly in city facilities—are usually extra pragmatic, economically targeted and cautious of China’s regional assertiveness. For them, alignment with fashionable, succesful companions just like the US represents an funding in nationwide safety and international relevance.

Russia’s response will doubtless be muted. Its personal financial and army constraints restrict its means to retaliate diplomatically. Moscow might as an alternative attempt to retain affect by way of power offers and symbolic gestures. However its long-term maintain on Vietnam’s protection market seems to be loosening.

For Washington, the deal is a quiet diplomatic win. It exhibits that America stays a viable accomplice, even for international locations with a historical past of ambivalence. But, US policymakers ought to mood expectations.

Vietnam just isn’t changing into an ally—it’s partaking by itself phrases. Washington ought to reply not with strain however with consistency and respect for Vietnam’s strategic logic.

Finally, this deal represents greater than a army improve. It’s a reflection of a brand new strategic maturity. Vietnam is navigating a fancy, multipolar world with deliberate ambiguity.

By shopping for F-16s, Hanoi just isn’t selecting the US—it’s selecting leverage, resilience and the house to form its personal future.

In an age the place great-power competitors typically calls for binary selections, Vietnam provides a compelling different: sovereignty by steadiness. Its evolving overseas coverage serves as a case research for different nations in search of to outlive—not by taking sides however by maximizing choices.

Johnny Thai, a pseudonym, is a Vietnam-based geopolitical analyst and unbiased commentator specializing in Southeast Asian strategic affairs, US-China relations, protection diplomacy and Vietnam’s evolving overseas coverage posture.