U.S. Arms Companies Seek Inroads With Vietnamese Military

U.S. defense firms are in talks with the Vietnamese government about a variety of potential weapons deals, reports Reuters.

The preliminary talks come as Hanoi seeks to diversify its arms sources. Russia currently supplies about 80 percent of the Vietnamese military's equipment.

American companies were forbidden from doing business in Vietnam until Washington ended its arms embargo in 2016.

The U.S. previously supplied two former Coast Guard cutters and has transferred two of 12 T-6 Texan II basic training aircraft ordered by Hanoi. Deliveries of the T-6s are due to conclude by 2027.

Boeing is also set to deliver ScanEagle reconnaissance drones to Vietnam.

Vietnam is also considering arms deals with India, Israel, European firms and Northeast Asian countries.