Vietnam Moves Closer to BrahMos and Naval Vessel Orders From India

Vietnam is reportedly moving closer to a major defence procurement package from India that could include the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, three to four offshore patrol vessels and 14 high-speed patrol boats. If finalised, the package would mark a major expansion of India–Vietnam defence cooperation and strengthen India’s profile as an emerging defence exporter in the Indo-Pacific.

According to Naval News, the proposed purchases are linked to India’s earlier US$500 million defence line of credit for Vietnam. Of this, projects worth around US$300 million have already been identified, including 14 high-speed patrol boats and three to four offshore patrol vessels, depending on final tender costs. The remaining US$200 million may be used for upgrading Vietnam Navy ships and procuring submarine batteries.

The development comes after Vietnamese President To Lam’s State Visit to India from May 5 to 7, 2026. During the visit, India and Vietnam elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral ties. The joint statement also said both sides would strengthen cooperation in defence policy dialogue, joint exercises, research, co-production of defence technologies, maritime security and defence systems procurement.

The possible BrahMos angle is the most strategically significant part of the package. BrahMos is one of India’s most important defence export platforms, and a Vietnamese order would add another Southeast Asian user after the Philippines and Indonesia. Reuters had earlier reported that a potential Vietnam deal could be worth around ₹60 billion, or about US$629 million, including training and logistical support, though no formal weapons deal was expected to be signed during President To Lam’s visit.

India has not officially announced a signed BrahMos contract with Vietnam yet. However, during a special briefing on May 6, Secretary East P. Kumaran confirmed that BrahMos was among the platforms discussed between the two sides. His carefully worded response — “watch this space” — indicates that discussions are active, but the deal is still awaiting formal confirmation.

For Vietnam, BrahMos would be a powerful addition to its coastal defence and anti-ship missile inventory. The missile’s high speed and sea-skimming profile make it a strong deterrent platform, particularly in a maritime environment where Vietnam faces security concerns in the South China Sea. Vietnam already operates Russian-origin coastal missile systems, and BrahMos could complement these by adding a modern, supersonic strike option.

The naval vessel component is equally important. Vietnam is expected to procure three to four offshore patrol vessels from India. OPVs are essential for maritime surveillance, exclusive economic zone patrols, anti-smuggling missions, search and rescue, and presence operations. For a country with long coastline and contested maritime interests, OPVs offer a cost-effective way to maintain sea control and improve maritime domain awareness.

The proposed 14 high-speed patrol boats build on an earlier India-backed programme. In 2022, India handed over 12 high-speed guard boats to the Vietnamese Border Guard under a US$100 million line of credit. Five of those vessels were built at Larsen & Toubro’s shipyard in India, while seven were built at Hong Ha Shipyard in Vietnam, showing how Indian defence exports can be combined with local construction and technology transfer.

If the new patrol boat order follows a similar model, it could further deepen India–Vietnam defence industrial cooperation. Some vessels may be built in Vietnam with Indian support, allowing Hanoi to strengthen its own shipbuilding capacity while giving Indian firms a larger role in regional naval modernisation.

India has also offered maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Vietnam’s Russian-origin Su-30 fighter aircraft and Kilo-class submarines. This is a practical area of cooperation because India also operates Su-30 fighters and has long experience with Russian-origin naval platforms. MRO support could become a major pillar of defence ties, helping Vietnam sustain existing assets while giving India a stronger role as a regional defence maintenance hub.

The strategic logic behind the cooperation is clear. India considers Vietnam a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, while Vietnam sees India as a trusted defence partner capable of supplying equipment, training and long-term support. The MEA briefing also underlined India’s position on peace, stability, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea under international law and UNCLOS.

For India, the package would be a major boost to defence exports. New Delhi has been trying to move from being one of the world’s largest defence importers to becoming a credible supplier of missiles, patrol vessels, radars, aircraft components, ammunition and naval systems. A BrahMos deal with Vietnam would be especially important because it would reinforce India’s ability to export high-end strategic weapons to friendly countries.

The broader India–Vietnam partnership is also expanding beyond defence. During President To Lam’s visit, both sides set a new bilateral trade target of US$25 billion by 2030 and agreed to cooperate in rare earths, digital payments, energy, pharmaceuticals, oceanography and supply chain resilience. This shows that the defence package is part of a larger strategic alignment between the two countries.

The key point, however, is that the BrahMos component should still be treated as pending until an official contract is announced. The OPV and patrol boat projects are more clearly linked to the defence line of credit and tendering process, while the BrahMos talks appear to be active but not formally concluded. That distinction is important for accurate reporting.

Overall, Vietnam’s likely procurement of BrahMos missiles and Indian-built naval vessels would mark a major step in India’s Act East defence outreach. It would strengthen Vietnam’s maritime capability, expand India’s defence export footprint and deepen strategic cooperation between two countries that share strong concerns about stability, freedom of navigation and balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

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Sources:
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/05/vietnam-slated-to-order-brahmos-and-naval-vessels-from-india/
https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/41109/Transcript+of+Special+Briefing+by+MEA+on+the+State+Visit+of+General+Secretary+President+of+Vietnam+to+India
https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/41108/Joint_Statement_on_Enhanced_Comprehensive_Strategic_Partnership_between_the_Republic_of_India_and_the_Socialist_Republic_of_Vietnam_May_06_2026
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-may-discuss-brahmos-missile-sale-vietnam-during-presidential-visit-sources-2026-05-05/
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-targeting-25-billion-trade-with-vietnam-by-2030-pm-modi-says-2026-05-06/

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