America’s relations with Vietnam have been astounding, considering the violent history between the two countries in the 1960s and ’70s. In fact, Vietnam now wants to buy F-16 Fighting Falcons from America, and not from China.

The United States Air Force’s and U.S. Navy’s “Teen Series” fighter jets developed during the Cold War were born from lessons learned in the Vietnam War. Among the aircraft was the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and while it arrived too late, by nearly a decade, it was very much a product of the post-Vietnam War era.

Almost fifty years since the end of the Vietnam War, F-16s could be headed to the Southeast Asian nation, but they won’t be as adversaries to the current government.

Radio Free Asia reported on Monday that Hanoi has agreed to purchase two dozen or more of the single-engine multirole fighters that Lockheed Martin now produces. Vietnam may purchase the F-16 V model, the most advanced variant. This move comes as the nation, once an adversary, seeks to move away from relying on Russian military hardware.

According to RFA, “around 80% of total important weapons” came from Russia, including combat aircraft. The Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF) currently operates around thirty Sukhoi Su-22s, an equal number of Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, and a handful of Su-27s. 

The aging fighters, some of which date to the Cold War, are considered at the end of their service life.

This has presented Washington with an opening. Last year, the United States Air Force provided three T-6C Texan II trainers to Vietnam, the first batch of a planned twelve aircraft.

“The first T-6 aircraft to the Vietnam Air Defence air force represents the promise we made to assist in your air force modernization efforts,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, in a ceremony in Phan Theit in November 2024. 

“This moment reflects our shared commitment to peace and the rule of law in the region.”

Vietnam Choosing the American F-16 Over Chinese Aircraft Is a Big Deal

Though China has developed more advanced fifth-generation fighters, the upgraded F-16 Block 70/72 variants are still considered competent combat aircraft, especially considering its current fleet. Likewise, it is unlikely that either Washington or Beijing would offer a fifth-gen option to Hanoi. 

While Russia likely would readily sell its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon), it is doubtful that such an acquisition would help bind the ties with the U.S.

The sale of F-16s to Vietnam was first floated during the Biden administration nearly two years ago, and it was hardly welcomed by Beijing, which had previously criticized the sale of the jets to Taiwan and the Philippines. Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia already operate the F-16. Vietnam is also one of several nations in the region that have had a long-running dispute with Beijing over claims to the waters of the South China Sea.

What’s the Catch with the F-16 Trades to Vietnam?

There will almost certainly be strings attached to any deal with Hanoi over the sale of the F-16s.

“The F-16s package will undoubtedly include U.S. military access to Vietnamese military facilities for training, maintenance and other support, but not the permanent stationing of U.S air force planes or U.S. naval ships on Vietnamese territory,” Carl Thayer, emeritus professor at Australia’s University of New South Wales, Canberra, told RFA.

That could be a win-win for Hanoi, however. It would bind the ties closer to Washington without giving up that much in exchange.

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image: Shutterstock/ Ali Cobanoglu.

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