People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN)

Total Armed Forces:

active - 484,000

reserve - 3 to 4 million (paramilitary urban and rural units)

Defence Budget:

1999 - $891 million

2000 - $1.0 billion

Army: PAVN (Ground Forces)

active - 412,000

61 combat divisions

1,935 tanks

supporting artillery/air defense guns and missiles

Navy: PAVN (Navy)

active - 42,000

2 SSI submarines

6 frigates

42 patrol and coastal combatants

10 mine countermeasures

6 amphibious warfare ships

Air Force: PAVN (Air Force)

active - 30,000

189 total combat aircraft with
2 fighter/ground attack regiments (65 aircraft)
6 fighter regiments (124 aircraft)

26 armed helicopters

supporting air defense guns and missiles

Paramilitary Forces

active - 40,000

Assessment:

Capable of the defense of homeland, Vietnam's military is streamlined for purely defensive purposes against all existing and foreseeable threats (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China). Limited capability of defense of coastal waters, and has no force projection capabilities.

Trends:

Military spending has increased in the past ten years in real terms. Vietnam is wary of the situation in Southeast Asia, particularly instability in Cambodia and border and maritime disputes with Thailand. China remains a traditional security concern. Vietnam displays no intention of expanding its military to include offensive forces, either naval or air force. Economic expansion is key directive of Vietnamese government and has been the focal point of foreign policy. However, recent agreements with India to fight piracy in Southeast Asian waters as well as defense industry collaboration (which could lead to local Vietnamese production of missiles)indicate common geostrategic concerns, especially towards China which is perceived as increasingly assertive.