Vietnam: Naval Strategy and the South China Sea

Vietnam held an anti-China protest in Hanoi on March 14, marking the 25th anniversary of a deadly naval battle with China and highlighting the continuing Vietnamese resentment and concerns over perceived Chinese aggression. These concerns have prompted Vietnam to boost its defenses, particularly its naval defenses. Vietnam's first full-size diesel-electric submarine from Russia will enter service this year, with five more to follow in the next few years. A rising China has pushed Vietnam to seek Russian assistance in expanding the Vietnamese navy to defend its interests in the South China Sea. While this expansion will not eliminate the competition, it will improve Vietnam's ability to defend its interests.