Future of the Vietnamese Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and

Forecasts to 2024

Summary

Vietnamese defense budget is projected to register a CAGR of 9.43% over 2020-2024, to reach
US$7.9 billion by 2024. China’s increased naval presence and territorial claims in the disputed
waters of South China Sea are the major factors compelling the Vietnamese government to
increase its military capabilities. The Vietnamese Government allocated US$5.1 billion towards
military expenditure in 2019, of which 32.5% is earmarked for the procurement of defense
equipment. The country’s defense expenditure increased at a CAGR of 7.34% over 2015-2019.

The country’s military modernization efforts are focused on preventing China from taking hold of
disputed territory in the South China Sea. Over the forecast period, the country is expected to
procure fighter and multi-role aircraft, armored vehicles, naval vessels, patrol ships, maritime
patrol aircraft, and surveillance equipment. The country’s defense expenditure is projected to
increase from US$5.5 billion in 2020 to US$7.9 billion by 2024, increasing at a CAGR of 9.43%.

Between 2015 and 2019, Vietnam cumulatively spent US$7.2 billion on defense equipment,
while US$15.0 billion was assigned for revenue expenditure. Over the forecast period, Vietnam’s
capital expenditure is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.43% and revenue expenditure is
expected to register growth of 9.44%. Vietnam’s slow population growth is projected to increase
per capita defense expenditure from US$53.7 in 2019 to US$79.3 by 2024.

Vietnamese homeland security expenditure, on a cumulative basis, is expected to be US$20.9

billion over the forecast period compared to US$12.7 billion spent between 2015 and 2019.
Efforts to protect its maritime boundaries, coupled with the need to counter human trafficking and
the illicit drug trade are anticipated to drive homeland security expenditure during the forecast
period.

The lack of technology and low domestic defense capability has forced the country to import
weapon systems from foreign OEMs in order to fulfill its military requirements. Over 2014 to
2018, Russia emerged as the largest supplier of military hardware to Vietnam with a share of
over 77.9% of Vietnam’s imports, followed by Israel, Belarus, South Korea and Ukraine
accounting for 9.0%, 4.1%, 2.8% and 2.0% respectively. Vietnam prefers government-to-
government deals when procuring defense equipment; therefore, improving government-to-
government relationships are expected to open up business opportunities over the forecast
period.

The report "Future of the Vietnamese Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive
Landscape and Forecasts to 2024", provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and
forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry
participants, analysis of industry leading companies and key news.

In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -

 The Vietnam defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the
Vietnamese defense industry during 2020-2024, including highlights of the demand drivers and
growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country’s expenditure and
modernization patterns
 Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated
within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget with respect to capital expenditure
and revenue expenditure. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants
within the country
 Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country’s imports and
exports over the last five years
 Market opportunities: list of the top ten defense investment opportunities over the next 5
years
 Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of
the Vietnamese defense industry
Companies mentioned: The Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC), Sukhoi, Admiralty
Shipyards, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding

Scope
 China’s increased naval presence and territorial claims in the disputed waters of South
China Sea are the major factors compelling the Vietnamese government to increase its military
capabilities.
 Counter-amphibious operations are a major focus of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) to
combat potential enemies on the sea and as well as on the islands.
 Over the past five years, Vietnam has increased spending on the enhancement of its
maritime competencies and this is likely to continue over the forecast period.
 The Vietnamese Government allocated US$5.1 billion towards military expenditure in
2019, of which 32.5% is earmarked for the procurement of defense equipment.
 The country’s defense expenditure increased at a CAGR of 7.34% over 2015-2019.