According to reports from various local and international media outlets, Vietnam may be on the verge of purchasing new F-16 fighter jets from the United States, with the aim of strengthening its Air Force. The news follows a series of developments between Washington and Hanoi, through which both countries — once bitter enemies during a brutal war decades ago — have moved closer together in response to the growing influence of the People’s Republic of China.
Recently, local media have reported that Vietnam is close to finalizing a deal to acquire up to 24 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from the United States, in an effort to modernize its Air Force, which has historically relied on aircraft of Russian or Soviet origin.
For example, the Vietnam People’s Air Force currently operates Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighters as its main combat aircraft, along with older Su-22 attack jets, which are in urgent need of replacement after decades of service. In the training and instruction segment, the Air Force also operates Yakovlev Yak-130 jets and the recently incorporated L-39NG aircraft, acquired from the Czech company Aero Vodochody.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations — marked by President Barack Obama’s visit to Hanoi in 2016 — the United States and Vietnam have strengthened their commercial and diplomatic ties, pragmatically focusing on efforts to contain China’s regional influence.
On the military front, the Obama administration also lifted the embargo on defense equipment sales to Vietnam’s Armed Forces. The first major milestone of this policy shift was the purchase of new T-6C Texan II advanced trainers for the Vietnamese Air Force, with the first units delivered at the end of November last year.
Building on these developments, the current U.S. administration is believed to have continued the negotiations that began in 2023, when consultations were reported to be underway regarding a possible F-16 sale to Vietnam.
Although few details have been disclosed, the deal — which has yet to be officially confirmed by the White House or the Pentagon — aims to provide up to 24 fighter jets, likely to be the F-16 Block 70/72, the most modern version of the aircraft currently being produced by Lockheed Martin. This company has recently advanced deliveries to Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Taiwan.
However, due to the lack of official confirmation, the report released yesterday should be viewed with caution. Still, it would not be a surprising move by the United States, which continues to pursue various strategies and regional alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s expanding influence.
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