Vietnam’s armed forces showcased what appears to be a new cruise missile system during a large-scale military rehearsal ahead of the country’s 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day celebrations on September 2.
The event, held at National Military Training Center No. 4 near Hanoi, marked the first combined exercise for thousands of troops and military hardware. More than 15,000 soldiers participated alongside columns of tanks, artillery, and specialized vehicles. However, the spotlight was on the Viettel-developed missile system, which drew attention from defense analysts tracking Vietnam’s growing arsenal.
Vietnamese military observers noted that the system on display is part of the Viettel Aerospace Institute’s (VTX) family of subsonic cruise missiles. The new system reportedly features variants with ranges of 80 to 100 kilometers, designed for both anti-ship and land-attack missions.
Sources familiar with the program indicated the design might be based on the Russian Kh-35E missile, although Hanoi has not confirmed any direct linkage. The cruise missile family, developed indigenously, underscores Vietnam’s drive to achieve greater self-reliance in critical defense technologies.
According to military sources, the country’s missile inventory now includes systems with ranges of 100 km, 130 km, and 300 km. Notably, the original VCM-01 variant with an 80 km range has not entered operational service, raising speculation that the latest version may represent a significant upgrade.
The Viettel Aerospace Institute has been leading efforts to expand the nation’s missile development capacity. Over the past decade, Vietnam has increased its investments in indigenous weapons programs, citing the need to strengthen deterrence and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The new system’s public appearance comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where Hanoi continues to reinforce its territorial claims while modernizing its air and naval forces.