Vietnam and the United States last week discussed a possible supply of weapons: in particular helicopters and drones. The series of talks saw senior government officials from both countries and representatives of the American companies Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Textron and IM Systems Group seated at the table.

This is what emerges from indiscretions published by the British news agency "Reuters", which cited sources familiar with the talk, which would have taken place on the sidelines of the arms show organized by the US-Asean Business Council (United States- Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

Preliminary talks could not lead to any agreement: also because the US Congress could block the sale due to problems of respect for human rights. However, they are a sign that the Asian state is looking for new suppliers and could reduce its dependence on weapons produced in Russia, for decades Vietnam's main military partner (about 80% of the country's arsenal).

Since an arms embargo was lifted in 2016, US defense exports to Vietnam have been limited to Coast Guard vessels and trainer aircraft: Two naval cutters and two North American T-model trainer aircraft have already been supplied to Hanoi-6 Texans, of which 10 more will be shipped by 2027, while the Boeing ScanEagle reconnaissance drones have not yet been delivered.