DefenseVietnam could emerge as new Rafale customer
Vietnam could become one of the next international customers for the Dassault Rafale fighter, as the country reviews options to diversify its combat aircraft fleet beyond long-standing reliance on Russian equipment.
The possibility was reported by L’Express, which said discussions have reached a stage where a Vietnamese pilot has already flown the French-built aircraft, and noted that a French Air Force detachment operating Rafales made a stop in Vietnam in 2018.
Any agreement would carry strong historical symbolism. France ruled what was then known as French Indochina until 1945, when Vietnam declared independence. A Rafale deal would come more than seven decades after the end of that period, underlining a significant reset in defence-industrial relations between the two countries.
Vietnam’s current combat aviation remains largely built around Russian designs. The backbone of the air force consists of about 45 Su-27 and Su-30 fighters, supplemented by older Su-17 and Su-22 aircraft that are increasingly outdated for modern combat environments. Pilot training and secondary roles are handled by jet trainers such as the L-39NG and Yak-130.
The Rafale appears as a Western multirole option that could gradually replace ageing aircraft without immediately displacing the Su-30 fleet. Any evaluation is expected to remain discreet, involving technical and operational contacts consistent with standard military procurement practices.
The Vietnamese interest also stands out in a regional setting where China has been actively promoting the Chengdu J-10CE to neighbouring countries as an alternative to Western fighters. A move toward the Rafale would indicate Hanoi’s preference for expanding its supplier base rather than increasing dependence on a single strategic partner.
In recent years, Vietnam has taken incremental steps toward closer defence ties with Western countries. One example was the recent delivery of 12 Beechcraft T-6C turboprop trainers transferred by the United States for basic pilot training.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has already ordered 42 Rafale fighters, strengthening the French aircraft’s presence in the region. A Vietnamese deal would further extend Dassault’s footprint while reinforcing a broader shift in Hanoi’s approach to airpower and defence partnerships.
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Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
