Vietnam has been quietly fielding what I believe might be the most comprehensive indigenous counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS/drone) capabilities in Southeast Asia to date
Vietnam has been quietly fielding what I believe might be the most comprehensive indigenous counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS/drone) capabilities in Southeast Asia to date, after witnessing its impressive efforts to field an intricate network of sensors and soft- and hard-kill effectors at the recently concluded Vietnam International Defence Exhibition in Hanoi.
As recent conflicts have shown, conventionally equipped military and security forces are often not equipped with the right equipment to deal with the seemingly endless waves of small, cheap, but deadly suicide drones, loitering munitions, and weaponized rotary and fixed-wing UAS that have now become the weapons of choice for non-state actors, special forces, and increasingly for mainstream forces.
The challenges posed by these systems are so diverse that there is no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all solution, but the most promising approach appears to be a tiered, multilayered threat detection and mitigation network, be it through non-kinetic 'defeat' or kinetic 'destroy' methods.
Through Vietnam's approach, multiple legacy and next-generation technologies are integrated into overlapping layers. The state-owned Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel Group) is leading the way by developing new capabilities such as the:
· VCU/3P manpack anti-drone system
· VCUS/E mobile C-UAS system with V-EMP/S high-power microwave weapon
· VRS-S55X active electronically scanned array (hashtag#AESA)
· Upgraded AZP S-60 57mm towed anti-aircraft guns
· Upgraded S-125-VT surface-to-air missile system (hashtag#SAM)
In particular, the Vietnam People Army (hashtag#VPA)'s upgraded AZP S-60 anti-aircraft gun system stands out due to its combination of a new AESA radar, electro-optics, battle management system (BMS), and integrated command, control, and communications (C3), and multiple 57mm gun clusters. Other weapons such as the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled AA vehicle and 61-K 37mm AA gun have also received similar upgrades.
Likewise, the VPA's venerable S-125 Pechora (hashtag#NATO SA-3 Goa) SAM systems have also received several upgrades to the S-125 VT standard, including the hardening of its UNV-VT fire-control radar to electronic suppression as well as a new electro-optical module for use when radar operation is disrupted.
Viettel also highlighted its VCUS/E mobile C-UAS system that combines multi-spectrum RF disruption with a high-power microwave weapon, specifically designed to defeat swarming drone attacks.
Vietnam's balanced and sensible approach stands out in the region, where some countries have retired their gun systems in favour of missile-based air defence.
As recent conflicts have shown, conventionally equipped military and security forces are often not equipped with the right equipment to deal with the seemingly endless waves of small, cheap, but deadly suicide drones, loitering munitions, and weaponized rotary and fixed-wing UAS that have now become the weapons of choice for non-state actors, special forces, and increasingly for mainstream forces.
The challenges posed by these systems are so diverse that there is no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all solution, but the most promising approach appears to be a tiered, multilayered threat detection and mitigation network, be it through non-kinetic 'defeat' or kinetic 'destroy' methods.
Through Vietnam's approach, multiple legacy and next-generation technologies are integrated into overlapping layers. The state-owned Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel Group) is leading the way by developing new capabilities such as the:
· VCU/3P manpack anti-drone system
· VCUS/E mobile C-UAS system with V-EMP/S high-power microwave weapon
· VRS-S55X active electronically scanned array (hashtag#AESA)
· Upgraded AZP S-60 57mm towed anti-aircraft guns
· Upgraded S-125-VT surface-to-air missile system (hashtag#SAM)
In particular, the Vietnam People Army (hashtag#VPA)'s upgraded AZP S-60 anti-aircraft gun system stands out due to its combination of a new AESA radar, electro-optics, battle management system (BMS), and integrated command, control, and communications (C3), and multiple 57mm gun clusters. Other weapons such as the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled AA vehicle and 61-K 37mm AA gun have also received similar upgrades.
Likewise, the VPA's venerable S-125 Pechora (hashtag#NATO SA-3 Goa) SAM systems have also received several upgrades to the S-125 VT standard, including the hardening of its UNV-VT fire-control radar to electronic suppression as well as a new electro-optical module for use when radar operation is disrupted.
Viettel also highlighted its VCUS/E mobile C-UAS system that combines multi-spectrum RF disruption with a high-power microwave weapon, specifically designed to defeat swarming drone attacks.
Vietnam's balanced and sensible approach stands out in the region, where some countries have retired their gun systems in favour of missile-based air defence.
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