Vietnam's surface-to-surface missile forces - Number 1 in ASEAN, top 10 in Asia.

Vietnam is the only country in the ASEAN region to possess ballistic missiles with a range exceeding 300 km, and is among the few Asian countries equipped with submarine-launched land-attack cruise missiles.

Vietnam's 9P117 Uragan mobile launcher and R-17 Elbrus (Scud B) missile. Photo: People's Army Newspaper.

Vietnam's military doctrine is built around the strategic goal of firmly defending national sovereignty and not infringing upon the sovereignty of any other country.

However, we still need to establish the necessary deterrence capabilities to deter any enemy with malicious intentions. Therefore, investing in surface-to-surface missile forces is essential, and the Vietnam People's Army has had ballistic missiles in its inventory for quite some time.

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 1981 Vietnam received from the Soviet Union four 9P117 Uragan mobile launchers along with approximately 25 R-17 Elbrus short-range missiles (also known as Scud B); figures for subsequent years have not been released.

Vietnam's 9P117 Uragan mobile launcher and R-17 Elbrus (Scud B) missile. Photo: People's Army Newspaper.

Later in 2009, in the document "Vietnam People's Army: Modernization and Development" by military researcher and professor Carlyle A. Thayer, it was stated that Vietnam had purchased a small number of Scud C short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea in April 1995.

This type of missile is an improved version of the Scud B, with an increased range of 550 km and a 770 kg warhead. By February 1999, Vietnam was holding further negotiations with North Korea to upgrade its old Scud B tactical ballistic missiles received from the Soviet Union to the more modern Scud C standard.

Thus, in addition to being the first country in Southeast Asia to possess ballistic missiles, Vietnam is also among the few countries capable of launching attacks at a range of over 500 km.

3M-14E land-attack cruise missile.

Although Scud missiles have a long range, great firepower, and are difficult to intercept, they also have the disadvantage of high error rates, which can be up to hundreds of meters. Therefore, the decision to purchase 3M-14E land-attack cruise missiles along with Kilo-class submarines is necessary.

Although the 3M-14E missile has a range of only 300 km and carries a 450 kg warhead, its accuracy is no more than ten meters. Furthermore, it is highly stealthy because submarines can silently approach their targets and fire, and by the time the enemy detects it, it is too late.

The pair of Kilo 636 submarines along with the 3M-14E missiles also help Vietnam join the select group of countries possessing the capability to launch attacks from beneath the sea.

Iskander-E - Vietnam's next-generation ballistic missile candidate.

In the not-too-distant future, it is highly likely that we will also be equipped with the advanced Iskander-E ballistic missile and domestically produced land-attack cruise missiles based on the KCT 15 anti-ship missile prototype.

Clearly, with its current capabilities, Vietnam's "2nd Artillery Force" is far superior to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Looking at the broader picture in Asia, if we disregard some countries and territories with ample scientific and technological capabilities but bound by restrictive treaties, Vietnam's surface-to-surface missile capabilities are only surpassed by China, India, North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and others!

According to Soha