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US eases ban on arms exports to Vietnam to repel maritime security threats
THE United States has eased its ban on weapons exports to its former enemy Vietnam to upgrade Vietnamese defences after recent naval confrontations with China in the South China Sea.
"The State Department has taken steps to allow for the future transfer of maritime security-related defence articles to Vietnam," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Officials said requests from Vietnam for any specific weapons would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, Reuters reports.
US State Department officials said the measure was to assist Vietnam to defend itself in the South China Sea, amid growing naval threats from China. Sales could include airborne systems.
US sources said likely sales could be US P-3 Orion surveillance planes built by Lockheed, which are being replaced by newer P-8A aircraft built by Boeing.
Officials said they did not expect backlash from China since the focus would be on providing Vietnam with defensive systems. "This is not an anti-China move," said one of the officials.
"The State Department has taken steps to allow for the future transfer of maritime security-related defence articles to Vietnam," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Officials said requests from Vietnam for any specific weapons would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, Reuters reports.
US State Department officials said the measure was to assist Vietnam to defend itself in the South China Sea, amid growing naval threats from China. Sales could include airborne systems.
US sources said likely sales could be US P-3 Orion surveillance planes built by Lockheed, which are being replaced by newer P-8A aircraft built by Boeing.
Officials said they did not expect backlash from China since the focus would be on providing Vietnam with defensive systems. "This is not an anti-China move," said one of the officials.
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