Vietnam Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 18th
MPR SCORE: 1106
MPR Index: 0.4885 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.4744 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +1.729 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Vietnam ranks 18th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), in a dead tie with Germany, reflecting its status as the strongest indigenous military power in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s defense strategy centers on territorial defense, sovereignty preservation, and strategic deterrence—shaped by its history of resistance against great powers and modern challenges in the South China Sea.
The People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) emphasizes ground force readiness, air and naval modernization, and the mobilization of national reserves. Vietnam’s posture is defensive but resolute, seeking to maintain deterrence through layered defenses, anti-access capabilities, and select strategic partnerships.
Strengths: Mass Manpower, Missile Defense, and Regional Deterrence
1. Large, Combat-Hardened Ground Forces
Vietnam maintains over 470,000 active military personnel and ~5 million reserves
Ground forces operate:
T-90S, T-72M1, PT-76, and Type 59 tanks
BMP-1/2 IFVs, ZSU-23-4 air defense vehicles, and multiple rocket launchers
Elite units include Viettel Commando Brigades and Airborne/Special Forces Regiments
2. Naval Modernization and Maritime Control
The Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) protects critical sea lanes and contested islands in the Spratly and Paracel chains
Key assets include:
6 Kilo-class submarines (Russian-built)
Gepard-class frigates, Molniya-class corvettes, and Tarantul-class missile boats
Coastal defense batteries armed with Kh-35, Bastion-P, and EXOCET missiles bolster deterrence
3. Air Defense and Missile Capabilities
Vietnam fields:
S-300PMU-1, SPYDER, and OSA-AKM air defense systems
Domestic and imported SAMs, MANPADS, and mobile radar systems
Anti-ship and land-attack missile development includes Kh-35E, P-800 Oniks, and indigenous UAV-delivered munitions
4. Strategic Partnerships and Self-Reliance
Strong defense ties with:
Russia (submarines, fighters, missiles)
India (naval training, BrahMos export agreements)
A growing domestic defense industry focused on electronics, UAVs, and munition manufacturing
Why Vietnam Is Ranked 18th
Vietnam’s high ranking reflects deep manpower reserves, combat-tested doctrine, and layered defense capacity, despite limited expeditionary and strike assets.
1. No Strategic Weapons or Long-Range Strike Capability
Vietnam lacks:
Ballistic missiles
Strategic bombers
Nuclear deterrents
Its deterrence strategy is based on anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) and local naval superiority
2. Aging Air Fleet and Limited Aerial Power Projection
Vietnam’s air force remains reliant on Soviet/Russian fighters
New acquisitions are slow, and airborne radar, AWACS, and modern datalink infrastructure remain limited
3. Budgetary and Technological Constraints
Defense budget is modest relative to GDP (~2%), with modernization paced by cost control and maintenance burden
Domestic production is improving but still heavily dependent on Russian systems integration
Conclusion
Vietnam fields a highly capable regional defense force, defined by mass mobilization potential, dense coastal defenses, and layered sovereignty doctrine. With battlefield-tested doctrine and increasing naval and air upgrades, Vietnam stands as the premier Southeast Asian military.
Under the MPR framework—where scale, combat readiness, and regional independence are prioritized—Vietnam ranks 18th, tied with Germany. Though lacking strategic projection, it remains a potent force for regional deterrence and national defense.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 482,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 40,000 (IISS 2023)
Vietnam has one of the largest reserve forces in the world, positioning itself as a key player in Southeast Asia’s defense landscape. Its military manpower provides strong military force projection capabilities, particularly in regional defense scenarios.
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 1,400 (SIPRI 2023, IISS 2023)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 2,000+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Artillery Pieces (Self-Propelled and Towed): 3,000+ (IISS 2023)
Vietnam’s ground forces are extensive and well-prepared for defense operations, with a focus on maintaining territorial integrity and securing borders, particularly in conflict-prone areas such as the South China Sea.
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 137 (IISS 2023)
Attack Helicopters: 25 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Vietnam’s air force is equipped with Russian-made fighter jets, including the Su-30, enhancing its air defense capabilities and contributing to regional air superiority.
Aircraft Breakdown:
Su-30MK2 Flanker: 35 (mainstay of Vietnam’s air superiority and strike force)
Su-27SK Flanker: 10 (aging, under limited upgrade)
Su-22M4 Fitter (Ground Attack): 25 (used for close air support; nearing retirement)
Yak-130 (Jet Trainers): 12
L-39 Albatros: 36 (used as light attack aircraft and trainers)
Yak-130 Jet Trainers: 12
Mi-24 and Mi-17 Helicopters: 25+
C-295, An-26, DHC-6: 25+ (tactical transport and maritime patrol)
Naval Forces
Total Naval Assets: 65 (IISS 2023)
Submarines: 6 (SIPRI 2023)
Frigates and Corvettes: 9 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Vietnam’s growing naval power, particularly its fleet of Kilo-class submarines from Russia, plays a critical role in securing maritime interests in the South China Sea. This enhances its military power projection and regional sea denial capabilities.
Missile Capabilities
Vietnam is investing in missile systems, particularly focusing on coastal defense missiles and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, to protect its coastline and deter external threats.
Military Technology and Modernization
Vietnam continues to modernize its military technology with the help of strategic partnerships with Russia and India. The acquisition of advanced platforms such as submarines, frigates, and Su-30 fighter jets reflects its commitment to enhancing military power and defense capabilities.
Alliances and Strategic Partnerships
Vietnam’s strategic partnerships with Russia, India, and ASEAN members bolster its military force capability. Vietnam’s increasing role in regional defense cooperation, particularly within ASEAN, enhances its military power projection.
Military History & Combat Experience
Vietnam’s military history is one of unyielding resistance, guerilla mastery, and defensive victory against larger and better-equipped adversaries. The People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) is forged from decades of near-continuous war, making it one of the most combat-experienced militaries in the world.
First Indochina War (1946–1954): Vietnamese forces led by Ho Chi Minh fought the French colonial army in a classic guerrilla campaign. The decisive Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 forced French withdrawal and ended colonial rule, cementing Vietnam’s military legacy in anti-colonial warfare.
Vietnam War (1955–1975): The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong waged prolonged war against South Vietnam and the United States, using jungle warfare, tunnel networks, and political mobilization. Despite heavy bombing, Vietnam’s forces achieved final victory with the Fall of Saigon in 1975.
Sino-Vietnamese War (1979): China invaded Vietnam in retaliation for Vietnam’s ousting of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Vietnam repelled the invasion after intense border fighting, inflicting significant casualties in mountainous terrain.
Cambodian Occupation (1978–1989): Vietnam occupied Cambodia to oust the Khmer Rouge, engaging in a prolonged counterinsurgency against guerrillas supported by China and ASEAN states. The campaign tested Vietnam’s capacity for extended regional operations.
Naval Clashes in the South China Sea (1980s–1990s): Vietnam clashed with China over disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands, including the 1988 Johnson South Reef Skirmish, resulting in Vietnamese casualties and Chinese occupation of several reefs.
Modern Period (2000s–Present): Vietnam has focused on military reform, anti-corruption, and South China Sea defense readiness, including construction of military outposts, airstrips, and radar sites across its claimed islets. While it has not fought recent wars, the military remains in a constant state of preparation for sovereignty conflicts with China.
Vietnam’s military legacy is built on asymmetric resilience, patience, and a deep belief in territorial defense through total mobilization. It remains one of the most nationally integrated and war-hardened militaries in the world.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~99.2 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~48 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 331,212 km²
Land Boundaries: 4,639 km
Bordering Countries: China, Laos, Cambodia
Coastline: 3,444 km
Climate: Tropical in the south; monsoonal in the north with hot, rainy summers and dry winters
Terrain: Low, flat delta in south; central highlands; rugged mountains in north and northwest
Natural Resources: Coal, oil, natural gas, phosphates, manganese, bauxite, chromate, forests, hydropower
Proven Oil Reserves: ~4.4 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~700 billion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$7.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.3%
GDP (PPP): ~$1.3 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$13,200
External Debt: ~$106 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradual increase with modernization and maritime security investments
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for males (18–24 months active duty); extensive paramilitary structure
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, South China Sea security, asymmetric and guerrilla warfare readiness
Military Industry Base: Developing; reliant on domestic repair facilities, foreign procurement, and licensed production
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Expanding under the 86th Cyber Unit; focused on regional surveillance and censorship
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: 7 Military Regions and the Hanoi Capital Command under the Central Military Commission
Missile Inventory Highlights: Scud derivatives, Bastion-P coastal defense systems, Vietnamese-made UAVs and ATGMs
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Capable of staged mobilization within weeks using local militia and former conscripts
Reservist Force Size: Estimated ~3–5 million, including militia and self-defense forces
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Led by VNSC (Vietnam National Space Center); operates earth observation satellites
Military Satellite Inventory: Limited; reliant on dual-use satellites for communications and remote sensing
Intelligence Infrastructure: General Department II (military intelligence), Public Security Intelligence under Ministry of Public Security
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Selective coordination with Russia, India, Laos, and regional ASEAN partners
Airports (Total): ~37 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Gia Lam, Bien Hoa, Da Nang, Cam Ranh
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~550 vessels
Major Ports: Hai Phong, Da Nang, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Cam Ranh Bay
Naval Infrastructure: Expanding; includes Russian-built Kilo-class submarines, missile corvettes, and modernized shipyards
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited blue-water reach; coastal and regional resupply capability only
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~3,100 km
Roadways: ~590,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~280,000 barrels per day
Energy Imports: Imports refined petroleum; self-sufficient in gas for domestic use
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Estimated ~10–15 million barrels
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Focused on small arms, artillery, APCs, and retrofitting foreign equipment
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of strategic garrisons, naval bases, radar sites, and airfields across the coast and border zones
Military Installations (Overseas): None officially; diplomatic military missions and training presence in Laos and Cambodia
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None permanent; military exchanges and training missions from Russia, India, and Japan
Defense Alliances: No formal alliances; strong partnerships with Russia, India, and growing ties with the U.S. and Japan
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited; uses Soviet-era IL-76, small transports, and contracted commercial carriers
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; national defense-mobilization policy enables scale-up in emergencies
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest but growing; focused on drone technology, missile systems, and electronics
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: PetroVietnam, VinFast (vehicles), Vietnam Railways, Military Telecom Group (Viettel)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Hanoi
Founding Date: September 2, 1945 (Democratic Republic of Vietnam); reunified 1976
System of Government: Unitary Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist republic
