Vietnam Defense and News forum

[Viet]

Vietnamese PTH130 howitzer
test run
live fire

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[Viet]

681,100 Vietnamese live and work in Japan.
That’s a new height, more than the Koreans.
The pace will probably slow down. Salaries, living standards in Japan are now lower than other countries.

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[Viet]

Austal Vietnam launches 71-metre RORO passenger cargo vessel - Dory 2​

March 30, 2026

Image of Dory 2, a 71-metre roll-on/roll-off (RORO) passenger cargo vessel for The Degage Group of French Polynesia, after a successful launch in March 2026. © Copyright 2026 Austal
Austal Vietnam has successfully launched Hull 426, “Dory 2”, a 71-metre roll-on/roll-off (RORO) passenger cargo vessel for The Degage Group of French Polynesia, marking another important milestone in Austal’s expanding global steel shipbuilding capability.

Featuring a steel monohull and aluminium superstructure, Dory 2 has been purpose-designed for inter-island operations and will accommodate up to 140 passengers and 17 crew. The vessel includes a 494 square metre cargo deck, capable of transporting containers, palletised freight and vehicles, providing a highly flexible logistics solution for the region.

With a cruising speed of 12 knots and a range of 1,000 nautical miles, Dory 2 is optimised for reliable, efficient service between Papeete and the Palliser Islands, supporting essential transport and supply chain connectivity across French Polynesia.

“This is a proud moment for our team in Vietnam and a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication shown throughout the build so far. Successfully launching Dory 2 reflects the growing capability of our shipyard and the strength of our partnership with The Degage Group.”

Mark Pleiter, Vice President - Austal Vietnam

The project highlights Austal Vietnam’s evolution as a multi-material shipbuilder, with the yard now delivering both aluminium and increasingly complex steel vessels. This progression reflects the strength, flexibility and growing expertise of Austal’s global shipbuilding network.

Image of the Austal Vietnam team alongside Dory 2 ahead of the vessel's successful launch in March 2026. © Copyright 2026 Austal
Dory 2 also reinforces Austal’s strategic focus on expanding its steel shipbuilding capability into key growth markets, including:

• Next-Generation ROPAX — low-carbon 50–120 metre vessels integrating electric and hydrogen propulsion systems to support the maritime energy transition.
• Offshore Energy — Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) and Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) engineered for evolving offshore wind and energy sector requirements.
• Sustainable Sailing Cargo — combining traditional wind-assist technologies with modern steel construction to deliver high-capacity, eco-friendly cargo vessels.

The Degage Group is a long-standing Austal customer, and this latest project builds on a strong partnership that has seen Austal design and construct multiple vessels for their fleet, including cruise ships and high-speed ferries such as the 66 metre Apetahi Express, delivered in 2023.

Upon completion, Dory 2 will undergo final outfitting, harbour and sea trials ahead of delivery to The Degage Group, where it will play a vital role in supporting sustainable and efficient inter-island transport operations.

 

[Viet]

Can Vietnam air defense intercept Mach 5+ hypersonic missiles?
The challenge is not intercepting but detecting it at early stage.

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[Viet]

from the size likely 130mm, 152mm artillery shells

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[Viet]

No more old fashioned AKs
Even every freshman gets STV380 rifle. Probably some russian military hardware will gradually be phased out and replaced by domestic weapon systems.

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[Viet]

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[Viet]

New hydraulic system installed
PTH130 tests fire 130mm artillery rounds.

 

[Viet]

Block the South China Sea and ask for $2 million per ship for the voyage?

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[Viet]

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[Viet]

Tough times ahead
Thanks to Trump and Putin’s madness

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[Viet]

In war time production must increase to millions of artillery shells a year.

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[Viet]

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Tough times ahead
Thanks to Trump and Putin’s madness

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So Vietnam would like to join the future middle power coalition led by Europe/Canada/Australia/Japan/South Korea/NZ?

 

[Viet]

So Vietnam would like to join the future middle power coalition led by Europe/Canada/Australia/Japan/South Korea/NZ?

most likely a Vietnam/Israel alliance
Joke aside
Vietnam will stick to neutrality whatever happens, as stated in the military doctrine, and as seen for more than 1,000 years.
The only exception in history was the Vietnamese military alliance with USSR and Washaw pact, and as you know, it did not go well in 1979.
So no worry, we don’t care if Russia collapsing, if US collapsing. Or there will be a new Japanese led world.