US lifts ban on sale of lethal maritime weapons to Vietnam

The US lifts the ban on the sale of lethal weapons at sea, to help Vietnam improve its maritime security.

The White House issued a statement on November 17 saying that the country "lifted the ban on the sale of lethal maritime weapons, to enhance Vietnam's maritime power and encourage interoperability with other forces in the region."

A US Navy destroyer. Photo: US Navy

The United States will increase maritime program assistance to Vietnam to $19.6 million in fiscal year 2015 to develop Southeast Asian maritime capabilities.

“We will increase our support by providing $20.5 million in fiscal year 2016. We are helping Vietnam enhance its maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and helping improve the command and control capabilities of one of Vietnam’s maritime agencies.”

In addition, the US also wants to expand bilateral training and exercises, focusing on humanitarian issues and disaster relief.

This aid package is part of the US's commitment to provide $119 million in financial support to four Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in fiscal year 2015. Previously, on October 2, 2014, the US announced a partial lifting of the ban on selling lethal weapons to Vietnam, to help improve maritime security.

According to VNE