• U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Vietnam to discuss military cooperation.
• Negotiations include potential arms supplies such as aircraft and helicopters.
• Hegseth highlights the importance of a strong and independent Vietnam.
• The U.S. aims for deeper military ties to benefit both nations.
• Ongoing discussions aim to diversify Vietnam's armaments away from Russian dependence.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting Vietnam to discuss potential military equipment supplies and strengthen ties between the two nations. He is expected to meet key Vietnamese leaders, including Communist Party chief To Lam and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, amidst ongoing talks about U.S. arms supplies, such as Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport planes and various helicopters. This comes as Vietnam seeks to diversify its military arsenal, which has been heavily reliant on Russian arms, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

During his visit, Hegseth reiterated the importance of deepening military cooperation, stating that such partnerships would be mutually beneficial. The U.S. has previously delivered three cutters to Vietnam's coastguard and three T-6 trainer aircraft from an order of twelve. He emphasized, "Deeper [military] cooperation will benefit both of our countries," reflecting Washington's commitment to supporting a strong and independent Vietnam, according to Reuters.

The current discussions are a part of broader efforts since the U.S. lifted its arms embargo on Vietnam in 2016. The Biden administration's increased engagement has led to significant dialogues, yet no formal agreements have been reached as of now. Future military supplies, including possible acquisitions of Lockheed Martin S-92 and Boeing Chinook helicopters, are also on the table, with sources indicating notable interest in these deals, as mentioned by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.