Overview
- Singh, who is set to travel in the third week of May, will meet leaders in Vietnam and South Korea to advance defence cooperation.
- Talks in Hanoi will center on a shore-based BrahMos anti-ship system valued at about ₹5,800 crore, with negotiations described as advanced.
- If sealed, Vietnam would become the third foreign operator of the supersonic cruise missile after the Philippines and Indonesia, strengthening coastal defence needs in the South China Sea.
- India will also pitch maintenance and overhaul for Vietnam’s Russian-origin Su-30 fighters and Kilo-class submarines, along with training and logistics tied to any missile purchase.
- Beyond missiles, India has a $500 million defence credit line with projects identified for patrol vessels and upgrades, while the Seoul leg will focus on industry partnerships under the new KIND-X accelerator and proven models like K9 Vajra co-production.