Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh
Newly re-elected Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh said that Vietnam\'s plan to have a submarine brigade in five to six years is only a self defense measure.
“As part of a long-term project through the year 2020, in the coming 5-6 years, we will attempt to assemble a fleet of Kilo 636-class subs. Although these are modern submarines, I would like to emphasise the fact that the purchase of the these submarines, as well as those of rockets and aircraft, is only a measure to ensure the defense of our territories and does not signal any intent of aggression against other nations," the minister said at a press conference.
He added, however, that because of budget restraints, any allocation for the purchase of military equipment must be carefully considered within the state budget, and be weighed against other priorities, especially social security.
Speaking about East Sea-related issues, the minister said that bilateral disputes must be settled in a bilateral manner, as in the cases of the Parcel Islands and the Gulf of Tonkin, but issues involving other countries, such as the dispute over the Spratly Islands, must be dealt with multilaterally. He added that he made his views clear during meetings with military officials of other ASEAN nations.
According to the minister, unity among ASEAN nations plays an essential role in multilateral cooperation and is to the strategic benefit of each member country. The ASEAN member countries have formed new security systems to cope with such issues.
ASEAN nations and China will build a Code of Conduct (COC) that will provide a road map to address East Sea-related disputes, with an aim for regional stability, Thanh said.
The geographical location of the East Sea makes it of economic interest to Vietnam as well as neighbouring nations.
There are varied opinions among nations in the region about the involvement of the US. Some see it as a positive, while others see it in a more complicated light.
“We believe that all nations have interests in the East Sea, including powerful ones, such as the US. Although, despite our varied opinions, all nations agree on one thing: peace and stability," the minister said.
According to the minister it is not a sign for alarm that many countries in the region are reinforcing their navies. He said that it is normal for nations to ensure national defense and protect their sovereignty, and Vietnam is no exception.
