Remarks at India- Viet Nam Defence Industry Interaction on 6 October 2026

Maj Gen Pham Thanh Khiet, Deputy Chairman & Chief of Staff of the General Department of Defence Industry (GDDI)

and dear friends from India who are representing the various companies. 

Xin chao, Namaskar and a very good morning to all of you.

Let me begin by posing a question. What comes to your mind when an industry interaction of this diverse scale takes place? When nineteen leading Indian defence companies, both government as well as private companies from India, congregate in a foreign country and are allowed to do so by the host! 

The following initial thoughts come to my mind:

First, trust. There has to be trust between the two countries.

Second, quality. Belief in the quality of the product of the companies.

Third, reliability and delivery capabilities of the product. The product should be tried and tested. 

Fourth, price competitiveness.

Fifth, priorities of the host country and

Lastly, shared values between India and Viet Nam. 

Dear friends, this is the story of two strategic partners, India and Viet Nam. India views Viet Nam as a key stakeholder and a trusted friend in the region. Ours is a civilizational friendship with people, like you and me and us, at the core of this progressive futuristic partnership. India attaches the highest priority to the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (ECSP) with Viet Nam. We consider Viet Nam as a key partner in our Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR and Indo-Pacific Vision. 

To my Vietnamese friends, the evolution of the Indian defence industry over the recent years has been phenomenal. Allow me to place before you some general markers which I found interesting on India’s defence industry:

First, the focus of our leadership has been on self-reliance in defence with a massive push for indigenous capabilities in the backdrop of the present evolving times. This is also the objective of Viet Nam. 

Second, growing participation of the private sector in the defence domain as is visible in this room today. 

Third, defence exports from India today reach more than 100 countries with exports touching USD 4.1 billion (Rs. 38,424 crores) in 2025-26. India is now a trusted global defense supplier including that of next-generation defence technologies.

Fourth, the next target is for Indian defence exports to touch USD 5.4 billion (Rs. 50,000 crores) by 2029. 

Fifth, importance of the contribution of youth and innovation in defence. Providing opportunities for startups and innovators to contribute to national security. 

Sixth, diversification of defence platforms.

And Lastly, innovative decisions such as the transfer of Defence Research and Development Organisation developed technologies for conventional missile systems to eligible Indian industries.

My Indian friends, your presence here assumes importance. You symbolize the face of Indian defence industry and between the nineteen of you reflect the advancements made by India in this crucial sector from UAVs, drones, supplier of components to various platforms, missile systems, etc. For some of you, Viet Nam is not new.  

I am not the correct person to advise you on business but what I can certainly advise you is to utilize this platform to showcase your products and to ascertain the requirements of the Vietnamese Armed Forces and their long term defence priorities. Indulge in B2B discussions. The objective should be to build sustainable long term industrial partnerships.  

Work on the projects that are commercially viable, technologically relevant and aligned with Viet Nam’s requirements. Your presence here and the interactions will help Vietnamese decision makers gain a better understanding of India’s capabilities, your capabilities, technological advancements and the range of defence inventories. Defence is a sector where our shared values have resulted in tangible outcomes and the potential is unlimited.  

India is committed and working very closely with our Vietnamese friends to further strengthen the existing robust defence collaboration with Viet Nam. Our defence partnership (India and Viet Nam) brings peace, stability and prosperity to the region. 

I would like to place on record my appreciation to FICCI and Ministry of Defence of India for facilitating this much required interaction. My sincere appreciation to the Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam, particularly the General Department of Defence Industry, for your cooperation and support in organising this event.  My special appreciation to the nineteen participating companies for making this event materialize. Lastly, to my Defence Attache and his team for pushing this interaction. 

I wish the deliberations success. May common ground be found between the Indian companies and the Vietnamese stakeholders. This interaction is another step towards strengthening the mutually trusted defence cooperation between India and Viet Nam.

Thank you, Xin cam on and Dhanyavaad

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