Vietnam Banks on New Cruise Missile to Reinforce Coastal Defense in Face of China Tensions.

On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam's National Day on September 2, the Vietnamese armed forces unveiled a new cruise missile system during a large-scale military rehearsal held at National Military Training Center No. 4 in Mỹ Đức, near Hanoi, as reported by the media outlet Vietnam.vn. The exercise, involving more than 15,600 troops and a broad array of military equipment, was marked by the public display of a missile developed by Viettel, the VCM-B coastal defense system, a variant of the VCM-01 anti-ship missile.
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The new missile joins a growing arsenal, including the VCM-B coastal defense system equipped with a 300-kilometer range variant of the VCM-01. (Picture source: Vietnam.net)

The missile belongs to the family of subsonic cruise missiles designed by the Viettel Aerospace Institute (VTX). According to Vietnamese experts, including Lee Ann Quann on X, it is available in multiple versions with ranges between 80 and 100 kilometers, capable of striking both land and naval targets. Although the authorities have not disclosed detailed specifications, sources familiar with the program suggest a potential connection to the Russian Kh-35E missile. However, Hanoi has not officially confirmed any such link, emphasizing the missile’s domestic origin.

This new missile is part of a growing arsenal. Among them, the long-range version of the VCM-01, with a range of up to 300 kilometers, was showcased through the mobile coastal defense system VCM-B. In June, during official visits, officers of the Vietnam People's Navy presented this system to high-level delegations, displaying the large missile canisters housing these long-range anti-ship missiles. This presentation highlights Vietnam's intent to strengthen coastal defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

The expansion of domestic industrial capacities, particularly those of Viettel, reflects Hanoi's strategy to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers while developing an autonomous and competitive defense base. This policy is also driven by the need to modernize the armed forces to address regional security challenges. Vietnam's current missile inventory covers ranges between 100 and 300 kilometers, and the potential operational integration of the new VCM-01 version would represent a significant qualitative improvement over the original 80-kilometer model, which has not entered active service.

The July 17 military exercise also featured a wide range of equipment: T-62 and T-90S tanks, locally produced armored vehicles XCB-01 and XTC-02, self-propelled artillery SU-122 and SU-152, BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, Scud-B ballistic missiles, and modernized surface-to-air missile systems such as the S-125-VT and Spyder. Locally manufactured loitering munitions, capable of reconnaissance and strike missions, were also deployed, reflecting the dynamism of Vietnam’s defense technology sector.

This military development comes in a geopolitical context marked by Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea, prompting Vietnam to strengthen its deterrence capabilities. Diversifying its arsenal and showcasing advanced systems aim to ensure national sovereignty while establishing a stronger strategic posture in the region.

General Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, emphasized the importance of providing logistical, technical, and political support to optimize the readiness of the forces, particularly in preparation for the historic military parade scheduled in Hanoi. This will be the first parade of such scale in 40 years, giving the event both symbolic and strategic significance.

The unveiling of Viettel’s new cruise missile and the display of the VCM-B coastal defense system reflect Vietnam’s objective to equip itself with advanced defense capabilities to address regional challenges. This technological advancement underscores the country's ambition to position itself as a credible and autonomous military actor in Southeast Asia, as the legacy of the August Revolution and national independence continues to shape the government's strategic priorities.