Vietnam invited to attend F-35 fighter jet exhibition

According to Reuters, Vietnam has been officially invited to attend the Arms Exhibition in Japan, which includes the participation of Lockheed Martin with the F-35 fighter jet.

This information was quoted by Sputnik as citing a source from the British news agency saying that the exhibition on maritime air defense systems and technology (MAST) will last for 3 days (June 12-14) near the Japanese capital Tokyo.

In addition to Vietnam, the Japanese Ministry of Defense also sent invitations to military representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

The British news agency quoted two sources as saying that Vietnam, along with the above countries, was also invited to attend a separate conference on military technology.

"The Ministry of National Defense will host the conference right after MAST ends," a source said. However, Vietnam has not confirmed whether it will send representatives to Japan. The first MAST exhibition was held in 2015.

F-35 fighter jets attend military exhibition.

According to Reuters, at least 16 Japanese companies will exhibit their products at the fair this year. In addition, foreign arms corporations will also attend, including the US F-35 fighter jet manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

Vietnam’s invitation to attend the defense exhibition by Japan demonstrates the strengthening of relations in both diplomatic and defense fields between the two sides. According to Professor-Doctor Vladimir Kolotov, this relationship serves the interests of both countries.

Currently, Beijing is Hanoi's main trading partner, but Vietnam has yet to escape its high trade deficit with China. To have a balanced trade balance, Vietnam has signed FTA agreements with most existing free trade zones in the world, expanding economic and trade relations with other countries.

In this context, the relationship with Japan is developing very positively, Tokyo provides Hanoi with large investments, builds factories, and creates jobs. For Vietnam, Japan is an example of successful development on the path of modernization.

Mr. Vladimir Kolotov commented that the bilateral relationship between the two countries is developing positively in the field of security and defense, especially in building the Vietnamese coast guard force.

Japan has provided Vietnam with a number of patrol vessels, which is important because Hanoi needs to strengthen its position in the South China Sea disputes, patrol the waters and monitor actions that change the status quo in the South China Sea.

Professor Kolotov believes that Japan wants to develop friendly relations with ASEAN countries, contribute to the economic and military-technical development of Southeast Asian countries and also aims to reduce China's power.

Therefore, Tokyo will have more opportunities to resolve disputes with Beijing on the most favorable basis, to protect its interests. Southeast Asian countries will also have an important "ally" to create a counterbalance. This is a "win-win" strategy that both Japan and ASEAN countries desire.

According to Baodatviet