Viet Nam, South Africa promote defense industry cooperation

Senior Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son in discussion with Deputy Minister of Defense and Military Veterans of South Africa Richard Mkhungo

At the meeting, the two sides spoke highly of the potential and room for cooperation in the defense industry and military trade. Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Truong Son noted that South Africa has an advanced defense industry, while emphasizing that Viet Nam pursues a policy of building and developing a self-reliant, self-sufficient, resilient, dual-use and modern defense industry, making it a spearhead sector of the national industry.

Viet Nam wishes to promote multilateralization and diversification, as well as equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with all international partners, with South Africa being an important partner. To deepen cooperation, the general proposed that the two sides increase exchanges of delegations at all levels and organize specialized conferences and seminars to share information on needs, capabilities and legal regulations, thereby providing a basis for developing a substantive and effective roadmap for cooperation.

Delegates pose for a group photo

For his part, Richard Mkhungo noted the proposals put forward by the Vietnamese side and affirmed that the South African Department of Defense and Military Veterans attaches importance to cooperative relations with Viet Nam and is ready to work closely together to realize areas of mutual interest.

Earlier, while visiting displays of new military technologies at the 2026 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son expressed his impression of the diversity and advanced nature of the equipment on display.

Translated by Quynh Oanh