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Vietnam To Buy Fighter Jets, Drones From West To Counter Chinese 'Aggression'

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Earlier this week Philippine President Benigno Aquino — a self-proclaimed “amateur student of history” — warned Japanese lawmakers that the continual appeasement of China with regard to Beijing’s island construction project in the South China Sea poses a similar risk to the global balance of power as the pre-war appeasement of Hitler. 

China did not appreciate the reference and had the following advice for “certain people in The Philippines”: 

“...cast aside [your] illusions and repent [and] stop provocations and instigations.”

In yet another sign that Beijing's neighbors in the region (who have competing claims in the Spratlys) are seeking to guard against what they view as Chinese aggression, Vietnam is set to bolster its defense capabilities and deepen its security relationship with the US. 

On a visit to Hanoi on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the following:

“As Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh and I reaffirmed in our meeting today, we're both committed to deepening our defense relationship and laying the groundwork for the next 20 years of our partnership. Following last year's decision by the United States to partially lift the ban of arms sales to Vietnam, our countries are now committed for the first time to operate together, step up our defense trade and work toward co-production.” 

The DoD’s official press release suggests Washington will play an active role in helping Vietnam to defend its claims via the build up of the country’s “maritime security capacity”:

Carter also discussed maritime security issues and the South China Sea. He pledged continued U.S. support to build Vietnamese maritime security capacity and underscored U.S. commitment to a peaceful resolution to disputed claims there made in accordance with international law.

More specifically, the US will facilitate the purchase by Vietnam of $18 million in American Metal Shark patrol vessels which will be used for "peacekeeping operations." But that's hardly the end of it. As Reuters reports, Vietnam is now looking to Western defense contractors to purchase drones, fighter jets, and maritime patrol aircraft. 

Via Reuters:

Vietnam is in talks with European and U.S. contractors to buy fighter jets, maritime patrol planes and unarmed drones, sources said, as it looks to beef up its aerial defenses in the face of China's growing assertiveness in disputed waters.

 

The battle-hardened country has already taken possession of three Russian-built Kilo-attack submarines and has three more on order as part of a $2.6 billion deal agreed in 2009. Upgrading its air force would give Vietnam one of the most potent militaries in Southeast Asia.

 

The previously unreported aircraft discussions have involved Swedish defense contractor Saab, European consortium Eurofighter, the defense wing of Airbus Group and U.S. firms Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing, said industry sources with direct knowledge of the talks.

 

Defense contractors had made multiple visits to Vietnam in recent months although no deals were imminent, said the sources, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. Some of the sources characterized the talks as ongoing.

 

One Western defense contractor said Hanoi wanted to modernize its air force by replacing more than 100 ageing Russian MiG-21 fighters while reducing its reliance on Moscow for weapons for its roughly 480,000-strong military.

Here again we see the US facilitating the buildup of arms in the name of bolstering defense and increasing the "security capabilities" of nations Washington views as strategic partners.

As indicated above, maintaing close military ties with Hanoi accomplishes two goals. First, it allows the US to rally yet another regional "ally" around the idea that China's activities in the Spratlys constitute an unacceptable attempt to project power by redrawing maritime boundaries and creating thousands of acres of sovereign territory which did not previsouly exist. 

Second, the West is more than happy to assist Vietnam with any shift away from relying on Russia for weapons (recall that in March, the US was quite displeased that Hanoi was still allowing nuclear-capable Russian bombers to refuel at a former US airbase).

In the end, this is a win-win for Washington and marks yet another point of escalation in the South China Sea standoff.

 

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Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:32 | 6168130 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

Now if I say this is "rich" will you accuse me of punning?

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:35 | 6168136 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

  Sad/ The Human species is so short sighted.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:55 | 6168180 SafelyGraze
SafelyGraze's picture

vietnam doesn't have enough "money' to "purchase" these defensive and protective systems

if only there some way they could borrow in order to "pay" the manufacturers

hugs,
fred

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hochberg#Political_career

 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:07 | 6168199 jaap
jaap's picture

Used to get american weapons for free...

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:08 | 6168201 MonetaryApostate
MonetaryApostate's picture

This won't end well, nope...

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:15 | 6168221 Manthong
Manthong's picture

Well, at least they’ve got some nice air bases built already.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:19 | 6168237 Stackers
Stackers's picture

Bizaro-Superman is me. To my world welcome are you.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:55 | 6168316 BigJim
BigJim's picture

Much as I hate the US empire, it's clear that the US is not alone in wanting to impose domination over other people. The moment the US collapses will see the Chinese (and maybe the Russians) start getting expansionist. Look at what the Chinese have done in Tibet. They're a bunch of racist bastards and just because they retard US hegemony doesn't mean they're 'good guys'.

I think the Chinese have fucked up big time here, though, driving everyone else around the South China Sea into the arms of America. And for what? If they'd been patient, they could have chiselled away at the US' influence in the region, built up these artificial islands in coordination with other nations surrounding the area.

People go on about the Chinese' 5000 years of civilisation, but if you bring out the magnifying glass you can see their 'leaders' as as fucking dreadful as everyone else's.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:02 | 6168338 falconflight
falconflight's picture

And then some....

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:18 | 6168359 Mr. Ed
Mr. Ed's picture

Okay, okay.  But think of the bump defense sector stocks will pass on to equity indices as these purchases go through.

  Woo-Hoo!!

Also, employment could pick up a little...

/\_^_^_/\

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 03:28 | 6168742 old naughty
old naughty's picture

BigJim,

I am not clear as to what you're saying...

are their leaders in bed with ours, or not?

us vs them,

or us vs us?

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 03:54 | 6168758 Laowei Gweilo
Laowei Gweilo's picture

they are in bed together

 

usa and china have no real wil to go to war

 

they just want to drum up nationalism to keep the serfs preoccupied

 

and maybe sell a few big defense contracts. win-win for china and usa

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:12 | 6168632 Zero Point
Zero Point's picture

People forget the last country that invaded Vietnam....

 

 

China.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 15:01 | 6169738 Dindu Nuffins
Dindu Nuffins's picture

And Vietnam humiliated the Chinese with as many casualties in three weeks as the Americans lost in a decade.

It was so bad that Deng made up some trash to save face, how he just wanted to punish the Vietnamese, and the Chinese retreated.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:47 | 6168429 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

See that red cord over there on the wall?  Well, if you pull it the planet will stop spinning long enough for you to get off.

Or you can stay here and admit to yourself nothing is more hypocritical and FUCKED than the American government.

just sayin' 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 23:54 | 6168614 ThirteenthFloor
ThirteenthFloor's picture

Vietnam is an American vassal state like Japan. Quite simple.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:21 | 6169073 NihilistZero
NihilistZero's picture

So you mean we actually won the Vietnam War? Quick, someone tell Stallone Rambo 5 has a whole new angle! An aging John Rambo and Vietnamese "Freedom Fighters" versus the Chinese Red Capitalists. It's gold Sly, GOLD!

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:47 | 6168662 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

Aside from recognizing that both governments are evil. your comment is total bullshit.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:47 | 6168531 Luc X. Ifer
Luc X. Ifer's picture

Isn't this hilarious?! These days the old enemies are becoming the new allies and the old allies are the new enemies ... 180 degree swinger games :)

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:52 | 6169144 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

Positively Lucyferzion

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:09 | 6168204 NoDecaf
NoDecaf's picture

Any statement from that piece of shit McInsane? I wonder how he would he would spin selling weapons to his former captors.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:29 | 6168401 Ms. Erable
Ms. Erable's picture

Surely you're not referring to Senator Songbird McCain? He's good buddies with the kids in Hanoi. He's also fucking looney tunes and doesn't care who dies as long as there's a war to be had - and weapons to sell for his owners at Raytheon, Northrop, et al.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:26 | 6168504 Ginsengbull
Ginsengbull's picture

That fairy McCain has stockholm syndrome.

 

He ratted on his fellow prisoners, told the NVA all about plan b, and probably sucked their little rice dicks too.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:11 | 6168207 ACP
ACP's picture
We are not about to send American boys 9 or 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves. 
-Lyndon B Johnson

Isn't this how it all started the last time around?
Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:23 | 6169080 NihilistZero
NihilistZero's picture

As this weapons deal shows, we merely picked the wrong Asian boys last time ;-)

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:55 | 6168542 Colonel Klink
Colonel Klink's picture

Another parasite.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 23:29 | 6168587 Jumbotron
Jumbotron's picture

I'm sorry....WHAT WAS THE FUCKING VIET NAM WAR ABOUT IF AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE ARM THESE GUYS AGAINST THE VERY COUNTRY THAT SUPPLIED THEM 50 YEARS AGO ???????

HAVE WE NOT LEARNED OUR LESSON ?   STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM THERE !!!!!!!!!!

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 07:43 | 6168598 Usurious
Usurious's picture

the vietnam war was about closing the gold window.........as was the great society......

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 12:44 | 6169467 Jacksons Ghost
Jacksons Ghost's picture

Charlie don't surf.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 18:26 | 6170220 Iwanttoknow
Iwanttoknow's picture

Did you use to surf at libertyforum.org?

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:36 | 6168139 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

Let all the yellow people kill each other. Right? And kill themselves too! Keep on sucking up that western culture. Suck up radiation, pollution, guns and ammo, modern finance, and please suck up MOAR WOAR.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:45 | 6168166 suteibu
suteibu's picture

So true.  The new multicultural kid on the block has set about to destroy some of the oldest surviving cultures.  More sad when one realizes that these people have been living among one another for a millennia without wiping each other out.  Hopefully, they will survive the second wave of Western imperialism but, even then, the suffering will be great.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:06 | 6168196 Stuck on Zero
Stuck on Zero's picture

Read your history books.  China and Vietnam have been in more or less continuous warfare for 4000 years.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:10 | 6168208 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

They have not had nukes and post-industrial civilization for 4000 years. 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:28 | 6168506 BullyBearish
BullyBearish's picture

Exactly...providing true weapons of mass destruction to the world's sociopaths

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:56 | 6169152 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

Hint:  Lets "send" all our jawbs and cash to them!

Who's good idea!  Right!

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:12 | 6168211 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

...and history has proven that you just don't fvck with the Vietnamese, the Afghanis, or especially the Russians.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 20:20 | 6170463 ThisIsBob
ThisIsBob's picture

... and you probably shouldn't be fucking with sand boones, either.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:15 | 6168219 suteibu
suteibu's picture

Which is why I wrote, "...without wiping each other out."

What they did not have in those 4000 years was a foreign interloper interested in pushing them into modern warfare which, not coincidentally, serves the interests of the foreigners without regard to the interests of either China or Vietnam. 

Left alone, and without the interference of foreigners to that region, they would, as they have historically, worked things out without destroying each other.  Who knows what this will bring.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 15:19 | 6169787 Dindu Nuffins
Dindu Nuffins's picture

man, you're some kinda crazy, bro.

apparently you think there should be no modernity in asia or some dumb patronising shit. 

otherwise, you bring modern tech and living standards, you bring modern warfare with it. you don't drive cars in your cities and ride horses to your battles. unless you're polish.

the reason why vietnam is arming is because there's no chinese will to "work it out" obviously, and there's already been a modern war between them when russian supplied them both. you got called on your hippie belief that only the west fights destructive modern wars. eat it and move on.

lack of capitalisation on purpose... to show your comment is not worth effort 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:09 | 6168203 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

And the alienation from self and history, perhaps greater.

Some of it will be preserved, but it will be hybridized. I guess evolution is like that. All you have to do is look at the Martial Arts movement in the US. What works is the old ways, not the training divorced from tradition. What works will persevere, but it will be in tiny pockets; it will not, unfortunately, take root in the mainstream culture any time soon. 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:19 | 6168233 suteibu
suteibu's picture

To be sure, the trappings of culture will be preserved by the West in a sort of Disneyland fashion.  And the global leaders will congratulate themselves for their homage to those cultures as they drink gin while watching the Asians dance for them in traditional attire.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 09:00 | 6168958 strangewalk
strangewalk's picture

The Asians don't need to learn about war from the West--of the top ten deadliest, most murderous conflicts in human history, eight of them have been central to the Orient, and usually involving China.

Dungan Revolt, China, 1862-1877, lowest estimate: 8,000,000 dead

An Lushan Rebellion, China, 755-763, lowest estimate: 13,000,000 dead

Conquest of Timur (Tamerlane--Mongolian Islamic leader who sought to re-establish Yuan Dynasty in China), Asia-Russia, 1369-1405, lowest estimate: 15,000,000 dead

Chinese Civil War (Chinese Communist Revolution), China, 1927-1949, lowest estimate: 17,000,000 dead

Taiping Rebellion, China, 1851-1864, lowest estimate: 20,000,000 dead

Qing Conquest of Ming Dynasty, China, 1616-1662, lowest estimate: 25,000,000 dead

Mongolian-Chinese Conquests, Asia and Europe, 1206-1368, lowest estimate: 30,000,000 dead

World War II, Worldwide but mostly Europe, especially Germany and Russia, and Asia, especially China and Japan, 1939-1945, lowest estimate: 45,000,000 dead

 

 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:36 | 6168140 Rainman
Rainman's picture

Fuck them ! .... I just heard 58,000 dead GIs roll over in their graves.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:29 | 6168256 Stumpy4516
Stumpy4516's picture

Yep, so are a few million Vietnamese.

HooRah or whatever. 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:26 | 6168393 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Sent there by the White Obama, Lyndon Johnson.

Bet you're anxious for the Alabaster Negro to call you up and send you to Donetsk.

Hope you don't have to wait long.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:02 | 6168620 Al Gophilia
Al Gophilia's picture

Which "Them", white boy?

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:17 | 6168635 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

New opportunities for Vietnam vets. Let them train the Charlies on the new weapons.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:39 | 6168150 smacker
smacker's picture

US military bases in Vietnam in 3..2..1

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:44 | 6168296 suteibu
suteibu's picture

Okinawa would be happy to ship about 20,000 US troops and all of their hardware to Da Nang...or rather back to Da Nang.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:39 | 6168151 suteibu
suteibu's picture

More flying junk pawned off to the unwitting via the process of fear-mongering.

"We are at a point where our fighter fleet is averaging between 25 and almost 50 years old in the case of the A-10, for example,” Walsh said. “We have other aircraft that have fleets of airplanes over 50 years old. Twelve fleets that can drive around with antique license plates in the state of Virginia over 25 years ago. Air forces have to modernize to stay relevant.”  Gen Walsh: Dated Air Force on ‘Ragged Edge’ of Being Able to Defend Homeland

*Note how everyone in the government now uses the word "homeland" to describe the US.

And our newest hardware, the F-35 and F-22 are extremely over-budget junk.

 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:21 | 6168494 Ginsengbull
Ginsengbull's picture

The A-10 is an attack craft, not a fighter, but it all depends on if he sees the enemy coming.

 

We still make F-16's, F/A-18's, and F-15's, and they are still air superiority fighters.

 

Any of them will toast China or Russia's finest, if piloted correctly.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:28 | 6168507 suteibu
suteibu's picture

Yeah, I realize Walsh was just posturing for more defense spending.  However, it seems the F-35 is the fighter of choice to sell to foreign governments both because it is not as effective as advertised and because they need to get them out the door in order to lower the cost per plane (especially since our own military would rather not have them).

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 04:36 | 6168781 researchfix
researchfix's picture

"We still make F-16's, F/A-18's, and F-15's, and they are still air superiority fighters.

 Any of them will toast China or Russia's finest, if piloted correctly."

 

Sure, Maverick

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 16:28 | 6169960 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

you are probabaly off your meds perhaps .ahahahahahahahah arw you a retarfd or are you a retard . I agree f-16 is better than f-35 .  You will beat russians and chinese with them ? lol . ipiloted correctly . let me slap some facts on your face 

 

just few days back yemeni rebels were a ble to shot down saudi f-15 s and 2 israeli f-16 in their airspace . now arent they piloted  orrwctly douche ? or murican pilots are god you mean to say hahahah. 

 

inspite of saudi ippegal bombing yemeni sams are working fine .let that sink in fucking hard in your twisted pea braiin . 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:41 | 6168154 Hope Copy
Hope Copy's picture

MIG-21s are notoriously 'unforgiving'..  ask the Indian Airforce.    Vietnam in the middle?  No, but ready to make money acting as an 'agressor' force in training.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:41 | 6168155 Quantum Nucleonics
Quantum Nucleonics's picture

This article seems to blame the US for Vietnam's nervousness at China's belligerence.  Isn't that a lame cheap shot, Tyler?

And anyway, the Vietnamese will be buying French, most likely.  As much as US defense contractors would like to sell, they'd never get the export licenses for the good toys.  The French will be happy to sell Rafale's.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:53 | 6168162 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

I hear they will give back khe Sanh for a POS F-16

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:46 | 6168164 goldhedge
goldhedge's picture

US will sell them some Agent Orange....Oh wait they already have some dropped by Uncle Sam a

while back.

 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:51 | 6168172 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

Monsanto approved

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:39 | 6168285 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

Yes, perhaps they can unload on the cheap some old rusting barrels of "Orange Lucky Sauce" defoliant.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:45 | 6169127 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

Move it into bottle of round up and triple the price for Americans

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:52 | 6168174 silverer
silverer's picture

Dear Vietnam leadership,

You did a superb job of using propaganda and determined and brave soldiers to win the Vietnam war.  I've read and seen articles of reunions with US service people who made journeys to your country to sort out the experiences and create a new understanding.  I'm happy that all that happened.  As far as the war was concerned, it was a great victory for your leadership and people.  However, you are now getting ready to tie yourself back up with your old enemy.  Maybe our military couldn't sock it to you, but believe me: our banks certainly will.  You are fucked.

P.S.

Can you send me a passport?  I'd like to visit before your country gets appropriated, maybe buy a little plot of scenic land up in the mountains?

Best regards,

silverer

 

.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:52 | 6168177 christiangustafson
christiangustafson's picture

Sell them reconditioned F-4s from the boneyard in Tucson.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:26 | 6168191 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

Nah, new planes. We want to make money for the cronies, say we are creating jobs, and give them a sporting chance of fucking some shit up for us. 

I was "bussed" to a rough school one year. When two girls were fighting a lot, we'd make a circle around them and shove them in the center of it at each other as hard as we could. We would chant "Bitch, bitch, bitch" until they started fighting, or until they stopped the bullshit and made up with each other. 

I don't think the US cares about anyone making up. 

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 12:33 | 6168239 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

...and some Huey's and a few B-52's. The damned sad irony of it all.

I'm sure they'll be teaching this lesson in High Schools! j/k

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:53 | 6168178 jimfcarroll
jimfcarroll's picture

Several billion per fighter jet plus an administrative fee paid to the Clinton Foundation ought to do it.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:00 | 6168187 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

Happy days at Saab, start translating all the controls from Swedish to Vietnamese?

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:17 | 6168228 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

I wish they'd resurrect Swedish designed & built Saab autos, damn it!

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:22 | 6168244 Coke and Hookers
Coke and Hookers's picture

Fuck yeah, those old Saabs were built like tanks.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:30 | 6168259 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

Fun as hell to drive, too!

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:40 | 6168288 Coke and Hookers
Coke and Hookers's picture

The downfall of Saab autos was sad. It started with GM buying them and rebadging Opels as Saabs. A sure way to destroy brand integrity which is what MBA educated people are good at. Then the chinese bullshit. The old Saabs were quirky and interesting and had loyal buyers. Not after the GM fiasco though.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:47 | 6168303 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

Agreed. My sister handed me down an '84 900 Turbo back in the day. After all of the cars we've both had over the years, spanning everything from beaters to luxury models, we both list that car as probably our all-time favorite.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:14 | 6168362 Buckaroo Banzai
Buckaroo Banzai's picture

Had a used 1978 Saab 99 GL Coupe. When it wasn't in the shop for clogged fuel injectors (every 6 months or so), it was really fun to drive. Whenever you lent it to a friend, if you forgot to give them detailed instructions, they generally wouldn't be able to start the car (ignition was on the floor) or get it into reverse (weird plunger thingy on the gear shift).

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:46 | 6168395 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

lol. Yep, Saabs were quirky as hell. The 900 ignition was in the floor. Reverse was top left in gearshift (more common now), and you had to put the stick there to get the key out of the ignition, engine was mounted backwards, and that BEAUTIFUL whine from the turbocharger!

The 99 is the love child of a Volkswagen Rabbit and a Volvo 142. In other words, it is funky, stout and ridiculously fun to flog.

http://www.wired.com/2011/12/born-from-jets-the-five-most-awesome-saabs-ever/

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 12:26 | 6169409 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

My Dad had a 1959 Saab 93 with the suicide doors, freewheel widget for efficient down-hilling, three-cylinder two-stroke engine, wind-up clock.  It was fun, but also a POS, at least totally unsuited for US driving and freeways.

But their new Grippen are supposed to be the hot value in not quite stealth fighters, like a tenth the cost of an F-35.

http://saab.com/air/gripen-fighter-system/gripen/gripen/

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 12:45 | 6169462 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

That car sounds nuts. lol

The Gripen sounds like the cars were: different, innovative, & cool.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:13 | 6168189 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

You can either surf, or you can fight! - Kilgore

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:12 | 6168213 Coke and Hookers
Coke and Hookers's picture

If they don't want Russian jets then the best hardware per $ is the Swedish stuff. There will be a big US diplomatic effort to prevent that kind of deal from happening.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:55 | 6168218 SmedleyButlersGhost
SmedleyButlersGhost's picture

OK Dutchboy, bid the soldier et al - c'mon - give it large - you guys deserve to make hay on this one with no come backs   FFS - ..... saw some earlier posts - with all of our progress, I think we still have some work to do on our anger issues

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:18 | 6168487 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

take a look

I'm down

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:15 | 6168220 MATA HAIRY
MATA HAIRY's picture

The man in the black pajamas....a worthy adversary...unfortunately, Charlie don't surf.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:15 | 6168223 Joe Tierney
Joe Tierney's picture

See!

 

War does pay.

 

Moar war, moar weapons, moar pay!

 

War - what ISN'T it good for? Nothin', y'all!

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:21 | 6168242 Shibumi2
Shibumi2's picture

vie^.t. co^.ng. cho'  che^/t  

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:21 | 6168243 Shibumi2
Shibumi2's picture

vie^.t. co^.ng. cho'  che^/t  

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:39 | 6168282 Ms No
Ms No's picture

So Vietnam and the PI have decided to join the endangered species list, I wonder how their populations feel about that.  I am sure the helicopters evacuating the CIA out of Ho Chi Minh will remember to bring their friends.... next time.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 20:59 | 6168328 Palladin
Palladin's picture

 

If you ever wondered how it all got started?

Here's the official document.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B51-74tGswAXcmE2VTI0NmVGdW8/view?usp=sh...

May all that signed this, rot in Hell.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 21:53 | 6168439 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Probably a good idea to stay away from New Zealand and the Hamptons in the future. If the SHTF the war will go after the elite first as a means to stop the funding of the other side.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:01 | 6168453 Karaio
Karaio's picture

Son of a bitch!

Great move!

Vietnam was always grateful for the US killing one-third of its population and leaving Agent Orange spread into its territory killing or fucking another third of children.

Any moron with half a brain will connect things.

Who helped Vietnam with guns?

The Russians.

Who helped Vietnam to people (boots on the ground)?

Chinese.

Who will buy / finance the purchase of these weapons of excellent quality western?

Russian and Chinese!

The reason?

Truly I say to you, assimilate technology and to guard.

These weapons as they arrive in Vietnam will be available to Russians and Chinese!

As these guys in Washington are stupid to this point, I do not know.

Let me give an example,

All the guys Army boasted that Abrahns tank was indestructible.

Today is no longer ...

Explode like flies.

hehe.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:12 | 6168475 Ginsengbull
Ginsengbull's picture

Northrop Grumman F-5's would be an excellent choice to replace Mig 21's.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:23 | 6168497 goldhedge
goldhedge's picture

The only thing replacing the MIG-21s is debt to the Vietnamese people.

 

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:28 | 6168505 Ginsengbull
Ginsengbull's picture

You mean debt FROM the Vietnamese people.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:16 | 6168482 bid the soldier...
bid the soldiers shoot's picture

Defense Minister Thanh last year

On May 31, (2014) with senior Chinese military officials in attendance at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phùng Quang Thanh touted Cam Ranh Bay to all comers, commercial and military.

“Vietnam sees that it is a waste if [Cam Ranh Bay] is not put into use, so we are considering our own investments, management and construction of the port to provide services to ships from all countries,” Thanh said.

Translated from the Vietnamese "ships from all countries, three legged dogs and the United States of America. Defense Minister Carter quoting Thanh

“As Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh and I reaffirmed in our meeting today, we're both committed to deepening our defense relationship and laying the groundwork for the next 20 years of our partnership. Following last year's decision by the United States to partially lift the ban of arms sales to Vietnam, our countries are now committed for the first time to operate together, step up our defense trade and work toward co-production.” 

 

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Now I'm willing to listen to the argument that China ought not still be angry because of the 100 Years of Humiliation which ended in 1901.

 

But if anybody here thinks that the 40 years since the end of the Vietnamese War has made nice-nice, I suggest you go out and buy another bottle of cheap gin.

The US invaded Vietnam in 1965 and Vietnam would not have won the war and driven the invaders out except for the aid of Russia (USSR.)

And now comes Ash Carter telling Hanoi to throw out the Russians and let the US just put it in an inch.

Obviously a graduate of the Noodleman School of Foreign Affairs. 

That's what personifies America: a super rich, Jewish Hollywood producer who wants to 'put it in an inch' in everybody.  

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:43 | 6168522 scatha
scatha's picture

The Vietnamese mafia of ex commissars in the rush for gluttony or opulence they just few decades ago swear to reject, forgot about vital national interests of this ancient country existing  thousands of years before drugged Kennedy noticed it.

In fact Ho Chi Minh was a friend of America, scholar of American revolution and proponent of implementation of basic cannons of american system in free Vietnam before he was stab in the back by freedom loving Truman administration who betrayed him to appease his Nazi collaborators, French, to regain colonial power in Indo-China.

Only in such context Ho Chi Minh move to, culturally alien to him Russia, for support against old historical enemy of China but only after Russo-china split after Stalin death.

The Vietnam war was completely senseless subsidy to MIC paid with blood of millions since it was was against declared US friends.

Now Vietnamese are set to repeat history and fall back under Chinese influence destroying Vietnamese nationalism and perhaps the nation when US sacrifice them back to Chinese in future global strategic chess game to avoid loosing its empire of illusion.

In my opinion in the interest of Vietnam people in this geopolitical reality, is to ally with south Asian community as a bridge to China, to assume position of needed neutral partner and develop robust relation with Chinese making sure that they are not perceived as a threat to strategic interest of China, a world power on their border.

The same role I see for Ukraine in between Europe and Russia.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 22:46 | 6168530 RevIdahoSpud3
RevIdahoSpud3's picture

Maybe it's just me but I find it ironic that Vietnam was aided and supplied by the Chinese in the Vietnam war against their enemy...the United States. Now, 50 years later, the Vietnamese are running into the arms of their former enemy to buy weapons to use against their former ally? So...after all is said and done the Vietnam war with all its losses for American soldiers was a "good" thing after all. It eventually opened up a new market for weapons. Who would have guessed this one oh so long ago?

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 23:32 | 6168590 SweetDoug
SweetDoug's picture

'

'

'

There just isn't any right or wrong, good or bad, anymore.

 

The Vietnamese are on our side.

 

The devil must be pissing his pants laughing.

 

•?•
V-V

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 23:46 | 6168605 dsty
dsty's picture

North Vietnamese are no weaklings

They fought the US off

Then they fought the Chinese off even though they were greatly outnumbered

They are very good at guerrilla warfare

They will buy their weapons from somewhere.

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 23:52 | 6168610 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

For those who see them as the enemy and now our allies in this, ya'll forget, Vietnam was split. 

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:22 | 6168644 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

When this Dwollar disappears so will the hearts and minds of the puppet world elites.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:37 | 6168654 basho
basho's picture

i guess they didn't learn anything about the ussa during the war, did they.

stupid is as stupid does.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 00:54 | 6168668 reader2010
reader2010's picture

do you really think Hanoi can love you long long time? 

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 01:45 | 6168699 Dr. Bonzo
Dr. Bonzo's picture

Can't help but notice the abused spouse / Stockholm Syndrome elements of this whole thing.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 04:21 | 6168773 squid
squid's picture

As I said last week...

the Vietnamese HATE the chinese, I don't mean mildly dislike like a Sunni and Shia Muslims, I mean HATE-LOATH, that sort of thing.

 

We've seen this before, it will be interesting.

 

Squid

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 04:46 | 6168783 researchfix
researchfix's picture

First duty of every continental Asian country should be to keep the yankees out. Then settle their disputes.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 05:02 | 6168789 king leon
king leon's picture

Maybe the US is being sucked into a trap. This situation would give China a great excuse to give the US a taste of their own medicine by applying sanctions and sticking the knife into the US economy and really twisting it.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 05:02 | 6168791 Allen_H
Allen_H's picture

They will be sorry for buying those duds.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 07:34 | 6168879 Apostate2
Apostate2's picture

The US has a ban on selling weapons to Vietnam (thus far). In the meantime, the Russians have been supplying Vietnam with weapons since the 1970s when they were fighting the Chinese (on the border) as China was supplying Pakistan to fight the Russian invasion of Afghanistan (your beloved proxy meme). Oh how we forget. Geo-politics is a bitch.

China is royally or should I say red-eyed pissed that Russia has supplied Vietnam with three Geopard class frigates (said this before) as well as in May sold 50 submarine launched 3M54 Klub missiles to Hanoi. China has no effective defense against these missiles ( maybe payback for China reverse engineering Russian radar systems). In 2009  the sub sale from Russia was also a sticking point. Recently Malaysia has confronted the Chinese over the Haijing 1123 Patrol boat over the disputed Laconia shoals.

And now the Myanmar/China border dispute is hotting up. Suu Kyi is to meet with China's leaders over the military exercises taking place(China has said this will continue indefinitely). Remember Myanmar is part of the belt and road strategy that provides access to the Indian Ocean.

And, let's not forget that the Philippines has successfully brought it's case against China to the Hague (UNCLOS) to be heard in July. Maybe an explanation for China's escalation of land grab.

 

 

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 07:40 | 6168881 InsanityIsWinning
InsanityIsWinning's picture

The irony here is neck deep, the enemy, communist Vietnam and China were united against us during that war.  We lost the war, Vietnam and China give up on communism, Vietnam now fears China aggression, seeks help from west.  And now, China and Vietnam are both beating us on freedom and liberty as the heavy boot of our government is inches away from our neck.   

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 07:50 | 6168895 Bogdog
Bogdog's picture

Nope. How about we not sell them one fucking bullet until they provide a full accounting of POW's they never returned.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 08:19 | 6168927 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

What is this integrity you speak of? 

USA's government is a backstabbing whore. There are no statesmen or stateswomen. "Where is the profit, in the moment?" That frames every decision. There is little other strategy. Staying alive and convincing yourself you are still on top, that is it. Once you know that, your expectations will be on target and you will not be disappointed like this.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 13:00 | 6169501 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

Lot of those POW's now own bars in Bangkok and many of the were deserters.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 08:39 | 6168942 Raul44
Raul44's picture

This is how US *may* get out of crysis. By selling weapons and make rest of the world warzone. Big profits + safe haven at home = win win. Its unbelievable people are this stupid, especially in vietnam and japan who should remember past atrocities in the first place. Stupid cattle... maybe they deserve to be slaughtered.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 11:12 | 6169196 Vin
Vin's picture

Fuk the VC.  Let them choke on Chinese agression.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 11:19 | 6169221 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

Poor dear.

You seem so hurt.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 13:02 | 6169504 DutchBoy2015
DutchBoy2015's picture

I guess the Vietnamese forgot we killed over 2 million of their people.

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 18:29 | 6170226 Iwanttoknow
Iwanttoknow's picture

Has anyone on this site ever heard of Colonel Fletcher Prouty?

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 20:07 | 6170442 ThisIsBob
ThisIsBob's picture

By virtue of centuries of claims of soverignty and intermittant use and occupation, China has an arguable claim. particularly since that's about all even the nearby nations have.  Sure the reefs are a long way from China.  Falklands are a long way from England.

China has already won this.  Nobody's going to attack anybody.

But a lot of money is going to be made moving weapons around.

Mon, 06/08/2015 - 01:15 | 6173341 onmail
onmail's picture

Whatever money Vietnam is earning from west (from call centers etc)

West takes it away using exorbitant defense purchases.

A way of looting nations.

And America wil sell them the outdated aging old weapons discarded by US military which will fail & crash during testing & training only(creating more demand)

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