Vietnam’s defense spending climbed to VND 147 trillion in 2023, and 2024 adds another $1.1 billion for naval modernization, but the supply chain still tells a sharper story. Russia provided 81% of Vietnam’s arms imports from 2019 to 2023, even as Israel’s 2022 Spyder SAM deal brought in a very different layer of capability. We pull together the key figures behind Vietnam Defense Industry production, imports, personnel, and R and D to show how procurement and domestic output are evolving side by side.
Key Takeaways
- Vietnam imported $3.2 billion in arms from Russia in 2018-2022 period per SIPRI
- From 2020-2024, Vietnam arms imports totaled 85 TIV, ranking 12th globally
- Russia supplied 81% of Vietnam's arms imports 2019-2023, including Su-30 jets
- Vietnam's 2023 defense budget allocated $6.2 billion USD, representing 2.3% of GDP
- Defense expenditure grew by 8.1% from 2022 to 2023, reaching VND 147 trillion
- In 2024, Vietnam approved $1.1 billion for naval modernization within defense budget
- Vietnam People's Army has 412,000 active personnel as of 2024
- Defense industry employs 150,000 workers across 20 major factories in 2023
- 50,000 reservists trained annually in defense industry support roles
- In 2022, Vietnam's defense industry produced over 50,000 AK-47 variant rifles at the Z111 Factory
- The Z189 Factory manufactured 120 T-54/55 tank chassis upgrades in 2023, incorporating modern fire control systems
- Vietnam Ordnance Industries Group (VOIG) assembled 300 Type 63 107mm rocket launchers domestically in 2021
- Vietnam developed V-100 105mm light gun with 30km range in 2023 trials
- Viettel's HiEnd radar detects stealth targets at 250km range, deployed 2024
- UCAV-X stealth drone achieved 500km endurance in 2022 tests
Vietnam is rapidly modernizing its defense sector, driven by rising funding, local production, and heavy Russian and Israeli arms inflows.
Related reading
01 · Category
Arms Imports And Exports24 stats
01
Vietnam imported $3.2 billion in arms from Russia in 2018-2022 period per SIPRI
02
From 2020-2024, Vietnam arms imports totaled 85 TIV, ranking 12th globally
03
Russia supplied 81% of Vietnam's arms imports 2019-2023, including Su-30 jets
04
Israel exported $500 million in Spyder SAM systems to Vietnam in 2022 deal
05
India delivered 12 Akash SAM batteries worth $300 million in 2023-2024
06
Vietnam exported small arms to Laos valued at $20 million in 2023
07
US approved $123 million sale of ScanEagle UAVs to Vietnam in 2021
08
South Korea supplied K9 Thunder howitzers, 18 units for $250 million in 2022
09
Vietnam imported 4 Gepard 3.9 frigates from Netherlands in 2020s upgrades
10
Exports of patrol boats to Philippines reached $40 million in 2023 batch
11
Czech Republic sold 30 RM-70 rocket launchers to Vietnam in 2021
12
Vietnam's arms exports to Cambodia included 5,000 rifles in 2022
13
France exported Exocet missiles, 50 units, $80 million deal 2023
14
Imports from China: 20 Type 15 tanks prototypes tested 2024
15
Vietnam sold STV-380 rifles to Myanmar, 1,000 units $10 million 2022
16
Sweden delivered Erieye AEW&C radar for CASA C-295 in 2023 $150m
17
Arms imports from Ukraine: engines for Mi-24, $50m 2021-2023
18
Exports to African nations: 2,000 mortars $15m in 2024 tenders
19
Japan supplied coastal radars, 5 systems $100m 2022 aid package
20
Vietnam imported BrahMos missiles from India, 5 batteries $400m 2024
21
Small arms imports from Bulgaria: 10,000 pistols 2023 $8m
22
Defense exports growth 25% to $200m total 2023 from $160m 2022
23
Turkey exported Otokar Cobra MRAPs, 50 units $60m 2022
24
Vietnam exported ammo to Ethiopia, 100,000 rounds $5m 2023
Interpretation
Arms Imports And Exports Interpretation
Between 2020 and 2024 Vietnam recorded 85 TIV of arms imports and relied on Russia for 81% of supplies from 2019 to 2023, even as it added major foreign systems such as Su-30 jets and Spyder SAMs while exporting $20 million of small arms to Laos in 2023, showing a strongly import-driven arms trade shaped by a dominant supplier.
02 · Category
Budgetary Figures26 stats
01
Vietnam's 2023 defense budget allocated $6.2 billion USD, representing 2.3% of GDP
02
Defense expenditure grew by 8.1% from 2022 to 2023, reaching VND 147 trillion
03
In 2024, Vietnam approved $1.1 billion for naval modernization within defense budget
04
R&D funding for defense industry increased to 5% of total budget or $310 million in 2023
05
Procurement budget for arms imports was $2.5 billion in 2022
06
Vietnam's military pension and personnel costs accounted for 45% of 2023 defense spending
07
Infrastructure investment in defense factories reached VND 20 trillion in 2024 plan
08
Export revenue from defense products hit $150 million in 2023
09
2022 supplementary defense budget added $800 million for South China Sea capabilities
10
Defense ministry requested 12% budget hike for 2025, targeting $7 billion total
11
In 2023, 28% of budget or $1.74 billion went to army equipment upgrades
12
Air force allocation was $900 million in 2024 for Su-30MK2 sustainment
13
Naval budget surged 15% to $1.3 billion in 2023 for submarine program
14
Defense industry subsidies totaled $500 million in 2022 state aid package
15
2024 budget includes $200 million for cyber defense initiatives
16
Personnel training budget rose to $400 million, 6.5% of total in 2023
17
Foreign military sales credits utilized $300 million from US in 2023 deals
18
Defense logistics funding increased 10% to $700 million in 2024
19
35% budget share or $2.17 billion for operational maintenance in 2023
20
Missile systems procurement budgeted at $600 million for 2022-2024 cycle
21
UAV development allocated $150 million in 2023 R&D line item
22
Artillery modernization budget $400 million over 2021-2025
23
Shipbuilding subsidies $250 million annually since 2022
24
Radar network upgrade funded $180 million in 2024
25
Ammunition production budget $120 million in 2023
26
Electronic warfare systems $90 million procurement in 2022
Interpretation
Budgetary Figures Interpretation
Budgetary figures show Vietnam is steadily ramping defense spending, with the 2023 defense budget rising to $6.2 billion or 2.3% of GDP and defense expenditure reaching VND 147 trillion while R and D grows to $310 million in 2023 and naval modernization is set to receive $1.1 billion in 2024.
03 · Category
Personnel And Infrastructure28 stats
01
Vietnam People's Army has 412,000 active personnel as of 2024
02
Defense industry employs 150,000 workers across 20 major factories in 2023
03
50,000 reservists trained annually in defense industry support roles
04
Z111 Factory staff totals 8,000 with 2,000 engineers specialized in small arms
05
Vietnam Air Force has 35,000 personnel operating 120 combat aircraft
06
12 major shipyards employ 30,000 in naval construction infrastructure
07
Over 5,000 R&D scientists in defense tech institutes like Viettel HTC
08
Border Defense Corps: 55,000 troops with industry-supplied gear
09
110 factories and workshops under VOIG with 100,000 total workers 2024
10
Navy personnel 50,000 including 10,000 ship crews on 60 vessels
11
20 training academies with 25,000 cadets in military education system
12
Cyber Command employs 3,000 specialists trained domestically 2023
13
Artillery Corps: 40,000 with 1,200 rocket systems manned
14
6 underground ammo depots expanded with 2,000 logistics staff 2024
15
Viettel produces for 200,000 signal troops with 15,000 factory workers
16
15 air bases house 20,000 Air Defense personnel with S-300 crews
17
Ordnance workforce 25,000 across 50 sites producing munitions
18
4 submarine bases under construction employing 5,000 naval engineers
19
Special Forces: 12,000 elite troops equipped by local industry 2023
20
10 radar stations staffed by 1,500 operators nationwide 2024
21
Maintenance depots: 20 facilities with 18,000 technicians for armor/vehicles
22
Missile brigades: 8 units with 12,000 personnel operating Bastion/Club-K
23
UAV operator training for 500 pilots at 3 centers in 2023
24
Coastal defense batteries manned by 8,000 artillerymen 2024
25
Electronics factories employ 12,000 in Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh corridor
26
Logistics Command: 60,000 troops supported by industry supply chain
27
Shipyard workers trained 4,000 new hires in welding/composite 2023
28
Viettel High Tech: 7,000 engineers developing radars/EW systems
Interpretation
Personnel And Infrastructure Interpretation
Vietnam’s defense sector shows a manpower and infrastructure scale-up where 412,000 active Army personnel and 35,000 Air Force staff are complemented by 150,000 defense industry workers across 20 factories and 30,000 naval construction personnel in 12 shipyards, underpinned by 50,000 annually trained reservists for support roles.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Capabilities30 stats
01
In 2022, Vietnam's defense industry produced over 50,000 AK-47 variant rifles at the Z111 Factory
02
The Z189 Factory manufactured 120 T-54/55 tank chassis upgrades in 2023, incorporating modern fire control systems
03
Vietnam Ordnance Industries Group (VOIG) assembled 300 Type 63 107mm rocket launchers domestically in 2021
04
In 2024, the Khanh Hoa Shipyard delivered 15 Molniya-class missile boats to the Vietnam People's Navy, each equipped with Kh-35 Uran missiles
05
Z131 Optical-Mechanical Factory produced 10,000 night vision devices for military use in 2023
06
Vietnam's defense sector fabricated 200 STV-380 sniper rifles with 7.62x51mm caliber in 2022
07
Haiphong Shipyard constructed 8 TT-400TP gunboats, each displacing 400 tons, for coastal defense in 2023
08
The 110th Workshop produced 500 D-30 122mm howitzer barrels through reverse engineering in 2021
09
Vietnam Aerospace Corporation manufactured 50 UAV prototypes, including the UCAV-X, in 2024 R&D trials
10
Z172 Factory overhauled 150 BTR-60 armored personnel carriers with new engines in 2022
11
In 2023, VOIG produced 20,000 82mm mortar rounds compatible with Soviet-era systems
12
Bach Long Shipyard launched 12 Hancam-class patrol vessels, each 50m long with 76mm guns, in 2024
13
Vietnam's defense industry assembled 80 Igla MANPADS under license in 2022 at Z111
14
The 217 Factory produced 300 PKM machine guns with improved bipods in 2023
15
In 2021, Vietnam manufactured 15 S-300PMU1 radar components locally
16
Z113 Factory built 100 radio communication sets for naval vessels in 2024
17
Vietnam produced 5,000 RPG-7 launchers and 50,000 warheads in 2022 munitions drive
18
Hai Phong Mechanical Factory assembled 25 BMP-1 upgrades with thermal sights in 2023
19
In 2024, the industry output 200 Strela-2M MANPADS missiles
20
VOIG fabricated 10,000 12.7mm ammunition belts for NSV heavy MGs in 2021
21
Vietnam's shipyards constructed 6 Sigma-class offshore patrol vessels in 2023 joint venture
22
Z190 Factory produced 400 60mm mortars with laser rangefinders in 2022
23
In 2024, 150 Mi-8 helicopter rotor blades were manufactured locally
24
The defense sector assembled 75 ZSU-23-4 Shilka SPAAG turrets in overhaul program 2023
25
Vietnam produced 30,000 5.56mm rounds for Galil rifles in 2021
26
Bach Dang Shipyard delivered 10 BPS-500 fast attack craft in 2024
27
Z111 output 250 PKT coaxial machine guns for tanks in 2022
28
In 2023, 8 K-300P Bastion-P coastal missile systems were localized
29
Vietnam Aerospace made 20 Orlan-10 UAV clones for reconnaissance in 2024
30
VOIG produced 12,000 130mm artillery shells in 2023 surge
Interpretation
Production Capabilities Interpretation
Vietnam’s production capabilities are clearly scaling across multiple defense lines, with outputs ranging from over 50,000 AK-47 variant rifles in 2022 to thousands of night vision devices and hundreds of armored, rocket, and sniper systems built domestically in successive years.
05 · Category
Technological Developments29 stats
01
Vietnam developed V-100 105mm light gun with 30km range in 2023 trials
02
Viettel's HiEnd radar detects stealth targets at 250km range, deployed 2024
03
UCAV-X stealth drone achieved 500km endurance in 2022 tests
04
Locally produced KCT-15K anti-ship missile with 300km range unveiled 2023
05
V-09 air defense missile system intercepts at 40km altitude, 2024 IOC
06
STV-410 battle rifle integrates smart optics, 800m effective range 2023
07
Viettel's EVP electronic protection jammer covers 100km radius
08
M40 self-propelled gun with 155mm/52cal, 50km range prototype 2024
09
Blue Shark torpedoes licensed, 50km range for Kilo subs 2023 upgrade
10
Phalcon-derived AESA radar for Su-30MK2, 400km detection 2024 fit
11
V-11 loitering munition with 100km range, 2kg warhead tested 2023
12
Cyber defense suite "VShield" blocks 10Gbps DDoS attacks, deployed 2024
13
HN-1 supersonic cruise missile, 700km range under development 2023
14
Composite armor for T-90S tanks, +30% protection tested 2022
15
Viettel 5G military network covers 200km frontline 2024 rollout
16
Laser-guided bombs VLS-250 for Su-30, 25km range certified 2023
17
Autonomous patrol boat "Sao Dong" with AI targeting, 40kt speed 2024
18
Quantum-encrypted comms for navy, unbreakable link tested 2023
19
V-50 MLRS with 70km guided rockets, 12 tubes prototype 2024
20
Drone swarm tech coordinates 50 UAVs in attack mode 2023 demo
21
Active protection system "VAPS" for APCs intercepts RPGs 2024
22
Hypersonic glider tech research reaches Mach 5 in wind tunnel 2023
23
Smart helmet with AR display for infantry, NVG integrated 2024
24
V-TEW electronic warfare pod for aircraft, 300km jamming 2023
25
Railgun prototype 10MJ muzzle energy tested on ship 2024
26
AI fire control for D-30 howitzers, +40% accuracy 2023 upgrade
27
Satellite comms terminal "VStar" 1Gbps bandwidth portable 2024
28
Nano-drone "V-Micro" 5cm size for ISR, 2km range swarmable 2023
29
Directed energy weapon laser dazzler 5km range non-lethal 2024
Interpretation
Technological Developments Interpretation
Vietnam is rapidly translating technological developments into longer-range and higher performance defense systems, evidenced by capabilities like a 30 km 105mm light gun, a 250 km stealth-detecting radar, and a 300 km anti-ship missile, all maturing through 2022 to 2024.
report visual · Comparison
Vietnam’s arms import dependence and scale (recent years)
Vietnam’s arms imports are both sizable and heavily concentrated: Russia accounts for the vast majority of supply while Vietnam remains highly engaged in major procurement and imports.
Vietnam imported $3.2 billion in arms from Russia in 2018-2022 period per SIPRI$3.2 billion
From 2020-2024, Vietnam arms imports totaled 85 TIV, ranking 12th globally
2020
Russia supplied 81% of Vietnam's arms imports 2019-2023, including Su-30 jets
81%
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Vietnam Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vietnam-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Vietnam Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/vietnam-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Vietnam Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/vietnam-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
30 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level