To Counter Chinese Threat, India Offers To Supply Akash Surface-To-Air Missile Systems To Vietnam

In view of China’s growing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, India has offered to supply indigenously-developed Akash surface-to-air missile systems to Vietnam. "Talks are in progress to arrive at a common plan. It's relatively easier on the Akash front since the missile system is 96 per cent indigenous," Times of India quoted a source as saying.

Akash is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and is capable of hitting and destroying incoming aircraft, missiles, helicopters and drones up to 30 kilometers away. While Vietnam is looking for transfer of technology and joint production, India initially wants to offer missile systems off-the-shelf.

The two countries have always perceived China as a common threat which has forced them to forge closer military ties. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016, the two countries had elevated their “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”. Modi had also extended a $500 million defence line of credit to Vietnam during his visit.

Apart from selling a number of naval vessels to Hanoi, Delhi has offered BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Varunastra anti-submarine torpedoes to the country in the past. India is also training Vietnamese fighter pilots and submariners as both countries operate Russian equipment.