According to multiple sources that spoke to 19FortyFive—including a former U.S. government official with knowledge of the negotiations and multiple U.S. defense industry representatives—Vietnam has reached an agreement with the U.S. to acquire the F-16 fighter aircraft. The claims follow a long period of talks and negotiations between the two governments, and it looks like the Southeast Asian nation might be the newest customer for the single-engine fighter.
F-16 Fighter Deal for Vietnam: What We Know So Far
U.S. Air Force Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith, Pacific Air Forces F-16 Demonstration Team pilot, conducts a falcon turn during Misawa Air Fest at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 8, 2024. The demonstration team’s primary mission is to inspire goodwill and promote positive relations between the U.S. and partner nations across the Indo-Pacific region by showcasing displays of F-16 combat prowess and dedication to U.S. Air Force core values. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Peter Reft)
No numbers have been mentioned yet, but the acquisition is expected to be of no less than 24 aircraft. When the F-16s are combined with other platforms that Vietnam would like to source from the U.S., it could all add up to the largest defense arrangement ever reached between the two nations.
Reports last July revealed that the two nations were discussing the sale of C-130 Hercules military transport planes to Hanoi. That was considered to be a good first step toward enhanced security cooperation between two nations that fought a war against one another more than fifty years ago.
Shifting Supply Base
An agreement on the C-130 and the F-16 had been expected last year, but supplying U.S. military hardware to Vietnam has been a tricky issue to unspool.
Hanoi said at the end of 2022 that it intended to shift procurement of weapon systems away from traditional suppliers, but no decisions along these lines were made.
Talks about selling F-16s to Vietnam had occurred off and on since 2016, when the U.S. lifted an embargo on the sale of military items to Hanoi. But any discussions on the platform were both quieter and less developed than negotiations on the C-130.
Whenever a Vietnamese official discusses procurement policy, the standard line is “that subject is very sensitive.” The line is uttered even more frequently if the possibility of the Vietnam People’s Air Force acquiring advanced fighter aircraft is mentioned.
That is because new advanced tactical fighters would be more likely to affect Hanoi’s relations with other nations in the region, especially China.
The C-130 is regarded as less sensitive, as it is a cargo aircraft, is usually unarmed, and several other nations in the region already operate it.
Parting With the Russians
Representatives of Ukrainian firms that have spoken in the past with VPAF counterparts have told 19FortyFive that Vietnam’s air force has experienced progressively greater problems operating its Sukhoi Su-27SK/UB and Su-30MK2V aircraft. This is one of several issues prompting the procurement of a U.S. fighter.
The top issue with the above-listed Russian-made aircraft is that they have reached the end of their warranty periods. When the VPAF approached the Russians about helping to service the aircraft, Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi representatives spoke to say they are unwilling to continue supporting the platforms without large advance payments.
Vietnam is unwilling to pay, the Ukrainians say, because they are not confident they will get all the services they pay for. Hanoi is also wary of making any payments to the Russians, due to concerns over U.S. and EU sanctions regimes.
According to the Ukrainians, the VPAF have already had to park four of their Su-30 models in 2024—the aircraft are out of warranty and are not certified as fit for purpose. They cannot be made mission-capable until a way can be found to service them, and a method put in place to source spare parts. Another 10 aircraft will fall into this status by the end of 2025.
Approvals an Issue on F-16
Vietnamese officials emphasized that U.S. congressional approval may prove more complicated for the F-16 than it is for the C-130. Based on the difficulties Ukraine has experienced with its F-16s, Hanoi is also worried that advanced missiles for the F-16, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, might not be cleared for sale to Vietnam.
Another complicating factor is that there are almost no inexpensive, older F-16 models available anymore. Vietnam would likely have to choose one of the new F-16V models, which would be more expensive and also vulnerable to releasability issues, due to that aircraft’s AN/APG-83 AESA radar.
NATO F-16 Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The United States may take measures to help Hanoi finance an F-16 procurement, according to U.S. industry representatives knowledgeable of the discussions.
About the Author: Reuben F. Johnson
Reuben F. Johnson is a survivor of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and is an Expert on Foreign Military Affairs with the Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego in Warsaw. He has been a consultant to the Pentagon, several NATO governments and the Australian government in the fields of defense technology and weapon systems design. Over the past 30 years he has resided in and reported from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China and Australia.
Jim
April 18, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Vietnam has had centuries of experience dealing with a hegemonic China.
This is a good story.
This isn’t about propping up a country so they tilt at China, this is hopefully about tailoring a diplomatic & economic relationship which works for both Vietnam and the United States over time.
Along with those F-16’s, a tailored trade policy needs to be crafted which reflects the realities of trade between the U. S. and Vietnam.
Primarily this should be an analysis of trade flows, but friendly relations with Vietnam is also in the United States interests.
This is an example of the importance of country to country diplomatic relations.
Our relations should be tailored to the individual country… a one-size fits all policy is wrong. Direct negotiations one country at a time is best practice.
The United States doesn’t want Vietnam to knuckle-under to China. Vietnam doesn’t want to knuckle-under to China.
Somewhere in that is a sound policy formula we can work with over time. Good relations with Vietnam is sound policy… these F-16’s are part of that.
The Vietnamese will do the rest, standing up to the hegemon (on their border) as they have for centuries.
Horsemen-of-the-Apocalypse
April 18, 2025 at 7:46 pm
F-16 is a dated fighter jet and so this report MUST be taken with a good healthy dose of sodium chloride.
The better fighter jet if you want to diversify away from traditional sources is the rafale, the F5 version supposedly to be available in 2030.
But if you can’t wait there’s the F4 version already available if you have the dough.
If you don’t have the dough, you can still purchase the gripen-E which is like a younger brethren of the rafale.
F-16 ? Buy it only if you can manufacture and maintain it at home. It comes with harsh specific user restrictions, and parts cost an arm and a leg.
Khunbill
April 19, 2025 at 2:52 am
End of the month celebrates 50th anniverary Vietnam unification day. Ironic isn’t it.
pagar
April 19, 2025 at 8:31 am
Latest news say trump thinking of giving up trying to sow peace between both parties in russo-ukro war.
Could that then allow trump to sell f-16 jets to both sides ?
Looking forward to blue f-16s fightin’ red f-16s.
One-World-Order
April 19, 2025 at 9:18 am
Vietnam buying F-16 jets.
If Vietnam were smart, it should start watching events in ukraine now.
Right now, f-16s there alleged to be fighting well, even fighting brilliantly, but once euro powers enter the fray, those f-16s will be fully replaced by typhoons, rafales and panavia tornados.
That will result in full-scale ww3 in Europe in 2025 as Russia desperately fends them off perhaps even with nukes.
F-16s then solely relegated to secondary roles.
So, while Vietnam ponders if purchase of f-16s is a wise choice, the rest of us better start stocking up the kitchen larder. As ww3 is no laughing matter. Start now, today.
Ryan Donovan
April 19, 2025 at 11:23 am
To “One-World-Order”, Europeans referred to as Powers? Which ones? That’s funny. There aren’t any who take their own personal responsibility for defense seriously with maybe the exception of Poland. They actually remember being the piece of land that’s been historically continuously violated by invasion for the last 1000 years. Euro “powers” are NOT coming to the aid of Ukraine. They haven’t yet and the war has been in their backyard for more than a decade now. They still haven’t taken responsibility for their own defense since WW1 which is why there was WW2, Cold War 1, now Cold War 2. Europe has never been more than a disaster of arguments and bitching, waiting for the USA to come to their aid and fix everything.
Jim
April 19, 2025 at 1:08 pm
This F-16 potential sale to Vietnam raises another aspect of our relationship with Vietnam and also with the other countries on China’s rim in East Asia.
Not one of these rim countries wants to be dragged into a war against China over Taiwan.
Not Japan, not South Korea, not Australia, not even the Philippines wants to be dragged into a hemispheric war in East Asia.
What they want is respect for their territorial rights as recognized under International Law in their respective Exclusive Economic Zones in the South China Sea or for Japan in the East China Sea (which we haven’t heard much about). Vietnam also has an Exclusive Economic Zone conflict with China which they want resolved, but not by going to war against China. Australia doesn’t have this interest, but the United States would put enormous political pressure to join in the war as a reliable ally of the United States.
What they want is China to respect their Exclusive Economic Zones. Winning an agreement for a date-certain handover of Taiwan and China relinquishing all claims in the South China Sea (and East China Sea) by the United States would promote strong relations with these countries.
Going to war puts strains on all these countries which they can do without and might cause them to ultimately break with the United States entirely.
So, ironically, by the United States cutting a deal with China over Taiwan would strengthen our relations with these countries on China’s rim (and they would be relieved not to be dragged involuntarily into a war not of their choosing).
As opposed to the idea putout by hawkish China analysts who claim not fighting for Taiwan would weaken our relations with these countries because we would be viewed as being unreliable.
No, losing a war over Taiwan against China would destroy our relations in East Asia and quite possibly lead to being functionally expelled from East Asia with no economic, political, or military influence at all.
A peace deal which sends Taiwan back to China with China relinquishing all territorial claims beyond their own Exclusive Economic Zone is the deal which will promote United States interests in East Asia the most.
War has the greatest potential to destroy United States interests in East Asia.
Commentar
April 19, 2025 at 2:05 pm
President trump is giving up on the peace talks over the Ukraine conflict. Due to sheer intransigence on both sides.
So what now. Send over legions of f-16 aircraft ???
No way. No more f-16s.
Fight to the death. Fight to ultimate victory. Victory or bust. Recall April 30 1945.
Commentar
April 19, 2025 at 3:10 pm
What happened 80 years ago, in april 1945, in fascist germany or nazist germany.
Eighty years ago, on april 26 1945, wehrmacht general helmuth weidling was appointed commander of the berlin inner defense area.
Several soviet units at the time had already penetrated right up to the berlin s-ring railway, just on the perimeter of the inner defense lines of berlin.
On april 29 1945, units of the soviet 3rd shock army managed to cross moltke bridge and thus were seen running through the streets of the buildings still in german hands hurling curses and firing their burp submachine guns.
On april 30, they were fully within range of the reichstag building and entered it in the late evening hours.
During that day, in the early morning hours, herr zelenskyy aloizovich conferred with general weidling about the prospects of the outcome.
Weidling told herr aloizovich the german defenders would probably run out of ammo during the night of 30 april 1945-1 may 1945.
Hearing that, herr aloizovich went ahead with his fateful personal decision and committed suicide on the afternoon of 30 april 1945.
Vern West
April 19, 2025 at 4:15 pm
It would due well to pay some attention to the China-Taiwan situation. If we are drawn i to a conflict to deter Chinese hegemony it would due well for us to have indigenous anti-hegemony allies in the region. To that end we can make very attractive terms possible to the Vietnamese government and insure a degree of interoperability and training between the U.S. and Vietnames air forces. The U.S. has a greater interest in deterring the Chinese than any of the European purveyors of fighter jets. In the event of open conflict the U.S. would have supply and support chains in place for their own use and able to, therefore, supply the Vietnamese easier and quicker than the Europeans.
A reader from Europe
April 20, 2025 at 9:03 am
1. VPAF fighter-fleet:
– The VPAF’s fighter-squadrons consists of a dozen Su-27 from 1996/97. The survining 10 have just underwent a very basic MLU – conducted domestically with Russian/Belarussian support. Those need to be replaced in the early/mid 30s.
– The 3x Su-30MK2Vs entered service from 2009 on and problably need a deep MLU from the late 2020s on to keep them viable until the late 30s. It will most likely a three-way deal between Vietnam, Russia and India as India’s MKIs also need to go through a deep MLU in the same time as well. The Algerians and Kazahks also need to upgrade their Su-30s as well. I do not see any sanction threat from the West/US when the MLU deal is conducted. As they will only replaced starting from late 30s on, it is hard to guess which type is going to replace them, but definitvely Gen-5 or even directly Gen-6 fighter. By the GCAP, FCAS should rolling from the assembly lines…
– The advanced trainer-fleet has just been re-newed with Russian Yak-130s and the Czech L-39NG, which is a L-39 with a Western avoinics & engine. (Two of the L-39NG came with in a “Soviet legacy” style as transistion units)
– The primary trainer-fleet consists of Yak-52, which needs to be replaced in 2030s. A batch of 6 Beechcraft T6-II have just entered service. More will likely follow.
-> Now the most pressing issue is the 3x fighter-bomber fleet of Su-22. They are literally the last units produced in the 1980s. Some went directly to VPAF, others were first in service with Poland before being sold to VPAF. They received a basic MLU from Belarus in the late 2000s.
– The first headline-deal with Western countries will be the replacement for those Su-22s. My guess is three batches of 12 each with a 4th batch as replacement for the 10 Su-27.
-> It is understandable that the US’s MIC would like to use the trade-war to get a leverage to secure the Su-22 replacement deal. Internally I think the VPAF would prefer the SK option with the KF-21 as a replacement to a Gen-4++/basic Gen-5 multirole and considering the very deep socio-economical relationship between VN and SK over the last 30 years.
-> One has to keep in mind that nearly all domestic and recently published Vietnamese weapon systems run heaviy on electronics components from SK. Koreans and Viets trust each-other.
2. VPAF cargo-fleet:
– Currently the VPA ground-force comletely relies on the RAAF to longe-range transport for their peace-keeping missions in Africa. As strategic transport-planes (except the Y-20 from China) are all out of productions this leaves VPAF only with the Airbus A400 or the smaller C-130.
– VPAF still has got institutional memory from field ops with the C-130 in the 1970s/1980s.
– USAF’s effort of palletized cruise-missile deployment from cargo-planes is of high interest for the VPAF. After all they used C-130 as ad hoc bombers as well.
– The Europeans and Japanese also have viable offers in form of the A400 and C-2, but the price and low total unit number/operators is of concern. The Brazilian C-390 is of course an extreme wild-card.
– The Europeans are already hooked inside with their small C-295 and have been offering the MPA-, ASW- and AWACS-version for nearly a decade now. But we will see if more units are aquired besides the 3 units in use for more than a decade now.
3. VPAF’s VIP, medical, SIGNINT, C3 and tanker-fleet and satellite fleet:
-> This is the non-existing part of the VPAF and indeed the even more pressing than new fighters.
-> According to net rumors it seems that the Isrealis got the deal for two recon/spy satellites recently – with Lockheed-Martin managers fuming…
-> I can see that VN is going to split and buy favors from all sides:
– several Boeing KC-46s for VIP/medical-transport, PKO support and finally air-refueling training.
– a pair or more of modified C-295 with Euro, Korean or Israeli and/or domestic components for SIGINT, AWACS and ASW.
– additional C-235 and/or C-295 -made in Indonesia – as extension of the support-fleet for the expanded Spratley-garrisons and strenghtening relationship with Indonesia.
– The civilian aviation sector in VN is now experienced enough to support all civilian-based devirates for the military.
4. VPAF Air-Defence:
– Except a hand full of medium-range & longe-range SAM batteries for technology transfer/reverse-engineering and performance-compararison, I don’t see much opportunities as all major global players are now ramping up their own numbers for magazine-depth and Viettel is now well under way for a domestic SHORAD later this decade and after that is just scaling up in the 30s & 40s.
5. Army’s ground-force: The investments in the last two decades has been centered around central-units (medical, C3), spec-ops, navy and air-force, this has lead to miniscule investment in the groud-force. I think this won’t change as Vietnam is not under threat of a ground-invasion – not even in a limited conflict with China.
6. BUT The domestic industry faction – led by Viettel (a MoD-controlled company in communications, electronics & systems integration) and Song Thu (also MoD-controlled shipbuilding company) will pressure the government to get tech-transfer out of every deal and/or accept waiting or temporary accepting inferior domestic systems with long-term industrial perspective. This can be a block in any deal with the JP, US and EU and even with the Israelis (see T-55 MBT upgrade deal).
This was the case for the deal with Damen-Schelde for 2+2 SIGMA frigates. The Dutch have a strong position due to civilian & coast-guard ships being produced in license in VN already. But the Dutch government refused Damen-Schelde’s request to handover the source-code, basic architecture for the CMS and weapons. So instead the VPN choose the inferior Gepard frigates – because the Russian CMS was handed over in full.
IMHO The Vietnamese & Indonesian armaments deals will be truly competitive & cooperative between suppliers and the foreign governments and the domestic interests-groups. The deals in other middle-sized countries are just scam, loyalty-deals and pseudo-competitions or pure corruption-deals.