Vietnam is giving India a broader defence export opportunity that goes beyond the BrahMos missile system. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Hanoi highlighted this chance as Vietnam reduces its dependence on Russia and looks for new partners.
Russia once dominated Vietnam’s defence imports. Between 2008 and 2013, Russia supplied 95% of Vietnam’s arms. By 2020 to 2025, that share fell sharply to only 22%. This drop has created one of Asia’s biggest openings for new suppliers, and India is stepping in to fill the gap.
India has already made progress. In 2023, it delivered naval vessels to Vietnam. By 2025, India accounted for 4.7% of Vietnam’s total defence imports. Ships are the strongest overlap, forming 45% of Vietnam’s imports and 12% of India’s exports. Missiles are another promising area. While they made up only 2.4% of Vietnam’s imports in 2025, they represent 24% of India’s exports. The BrahMos missile is seen as a strong coastal deterrent in the South China Sea.
Aircraft and air defence systems also show potential. Aircraft formed 38% of Vietnam’s imports, while India has offered its Akashteer system to strengthen cooperation. Armoured vehicles and sensors add further scope. Together, these alignments signal a major chance for India to expand its role as a strategic defence partner in Southeast Asia.
