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Vietnam

Vietnam ranks #18 in global military power in 2026, with 470,000 active soldiers, 1,820 tanks, 293 aircraft, and 72 warships. Its annual defense budget stands at $500 million.

Unitary Republic ā€¢ GLOBAL RANK #18 ā€¢ Tier 3: Significant Power
VNM GLOBAL RANK #18 Tier 3: Significant Power
470,000 SOLDIERS
1,820 TANKS
293 AIRCRAFT
72 SHIPS
$471.5B GDP
100,987,686 POPULATION

Vietnam Strategic Defense & Military Capability Dossier (2026)

Government: Unitary Republic
Economic Model: Developing Market Economy
Total Land Area: 331,210 kmĀ²
Military Alliance: Major Non-NATO Strategic Partner
Nuclear Capability: Non-Nuclear State
Main Battle Tanks (MBT): 1,820
Armored Combat Vehicles: 69,914
Fighter & Interceptor Aircraft: 69
Attack Helicopters: 30
Submarine Fleet: 10
Aircraft Carriers: 0
Primary Sources: SIPRI (2025/2026), IISS Military Balance 2026, IMF DataMapper, World Bank.
CULTURE & IDENTITY
RELIGION
Atheist 73.7%
14.9%
8.5%
1.2%
1.7%
A
Atheist 73.7%
B
Buddhism 14.9%
C
Christianity 8.5%
C
Caodaism 1.2%
o
other 1.7%
ETHNIC GROUPS
Kinh (Viet)
85.3%
Tay
1.9%
Thai
1.9%
Muong
1.5%
Khmer
1.4%
Mong
1.4%
Nung
1.1%
other
5.5%
LANGUAGES
Vietnamese
85.3%
Tay
1.9%
Thai
1.7%
Muong
1.5%
Khmer
1.4%
Other
8.2%
99%
LITERACY RATE
DETAILED INTELLIGENCE
MILITARY DETAIL
Nuclear Warheads
0
ICBMs
0
Military Drones
50
Suicide Drones
500
Cruise Missiles
300
LAND FORCES
Active Personnel
470,000
Tanks
1,820
APCs & Combat Vehicles
69,914
Self-Propelled Arty
30
Towed Artillery
3,250
MLRS Rocket Systems
774
Anti-Air Systems
938
Anti-Tank Systems
3,127
Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
1,820
Light Tanks
0
Tank Destroyers
0
AIR FORCES
Total Aircraft
293
Fighters & Interceptors
69
Attack Aircraft
0
Transport Aircraft
7
Trainer Aircraft
103
Total Helicopters
114
Attack Helicopters
30
NAVAL FORCES
Total Warships
72
Aircraft Carriers
0
Helicopter Carriers
0
Submarine Fleet
10
Destroyers
0
Frigates
16
Corvettes
29
Patrol Vessels
47
Mine Warfare Vessels
14
NATURAL RESOURCES
Oil Reserves
170,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas
7,500,000,000 mĀ³
Coal Reserves
48,000,000 Tons
Iron Ore
2 Mt
Copper
35 kt
Gold Reserves
3 Tonnes
ECONOMY
Annual GDP
$471.5 Billion
Defense Budget
$500 million
National Currency
National Currency
GEOGRAPHY
Total Land Area
331,210 kmĀ²
Coastline Length
Landlocked
Land Borders
Island Nation
Prevailing Climate
Temperate
Terrain Profile
Diverse topography
POWER INDEX
92.8 COMPOSITE POWER INDEX
ā–² #17 Ukraine ā–¼ #19 Mexico
470,000
Soldiers
#18/250
1,820
Tanks
#18/250
69,914
Vehicles
#18/250
293
Aircraft
#18/250
72
Ships
#18/250
$471.5B
GDP
#18/250
100,987,686
Population
#18/250
331,210 kmĀ²
Area
#18/250
COMBAT ARMS DISTRIBUTION & DOCTRINE
MILITARY DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
ā˜… LAND FORCE PRIORITIZED
LAND FORCES87.8%
470,000 Active Personnel
AIR FORCES5.5%
293 Aircraft & Combat Aviation
NAVAL FORCES6.7%
72 Warships & Maritime Assets
Vietnam's strategic doctrine emphasizes land force prioritized, maintaining 470,000 active ground forces, 293 tactical aircraft, and 72 naval combatants for comprehensive sovereign deterrence.
CATEGORY RANKINGS
#18
Active Personnel
470,000
#18
Main Battle Tanks
1,820
#18
Armored Vehicles
69,914
#18
Combat Aircraft
293
#18
Naval Warships
72
#18
Annual GDP
$471.5B
#18
Total Population
100,987,686
#18
Total Land Area
331,210 kmĀ²
#18
Power Score
92.8
GLOBAL SOVEREIGN POWERS DIRECTORY
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