Vietnam People's Army
Encyclopedia
The Vietnam People's Army is the armed forces of Vietnam. The VPA includes: the Vietnamese People's Ground Forces (including VPA Strategic Rear Forces and Border Defense Forces), the Vietnam People's Navy
(including VPN Marine Corps), the Vietnam People's Air Force
, and the Vietnam Marine Police.
During the French Indochina War (1946–1954), the VPA was often referred to as the Việt Minh
. In the context of the Vietnam War
(1959–1975), the army was referred to as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) or the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). This allowed writers, the US Military, and the general public, to distinguish northern communists from the southern communists, or Viet Cong. However, northerners and southerners were always under the same command structure. According to Hanoi's official history, the Vietcong was a branch of the PAVN. In 2010 the Vietnam People's Army undertook the role of leading the 1,000th Anniversary Parade in Hanoi
by performing their biggest parade in Vietnam's history.
on December 22, 1944 with the aim to introduce its members as main force to drive the French colonialists and Japanese occupiers from Vietnam.http://indochine54.free.fr/vm/vietminh.html#top The group was renamed the "Vietnam Liberation Army" in May 1945. In September, the army was again renamed the "Vietnam National Defence Army." At this point, it had about 1,000 soldiers. In 1950, it was officially named after People's Army of Vietnam.
. Over the next two years, the first division, the 308th Division, later well-known as the Pioneer Division formed by the 88th Tu Vu Regiment and the 102nd Capital Regiment. By late 1950 the 308th Division had a full three infantry regiments, when it was supplemented by the 36th Regiment. At that time, the 308th Division was also backed by the 11th Battalion that later became the main force of the 312nd Victory Division. In late 1951, after launching three campaigns against three French strongpoints in the Red River Delta
, PAVN refocused on building up its ground forces further, with five new divisions, each of 10–15,000 men, created: the 304th Glory Division at Thanh Hoa
, the 312th Victory Division in Vinh Phuc, the 316th Bong Lau Division in the northwest border region, the 320th Delta Division in the north Red River Delta
, the 325th Binh Tri Thien Division in Binh Tri Thien province. Also in 1951, the first artillery Division, the 351th Division was formed, and later, before Battle of Dien Bien Phu
in 1954, for the first time in history, it was equipped by 24 captured 105mm US howitzers supplied by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The first siz divisions (308th, 304th, 312nd, 316th, 320th, 325th) became known as the original PAVN 'Steel and Iron' divisions. In 1954 four of these divisions (the 308th, 304th, 312nd, 316th, supported by the 351th Division's captured US howitzers) defeated the French Union
forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, ending 83 years of French rule in Indochina.
, the 305th and the 324th near the DMZ
, and the 335 Division of regroupees who had returned from Laos. In 1957, the 'interzones' of the war with the French were reorganised as the first five military regions, and in the next two years, several divisions were reduced to brigade size to meet the manpower requirements of collective farms. In May 1959 the first major steps to prepare infiltration routes into South Vietnam
were taken; Group 559
was established, a logistical unit charged with establishing routes into the south via Laos and Cambodia, which later became famous as the Ho Chi Minh Trail
. At about the same time, Group 579 was created as its maritime counterpart to transport supplies into the South by sea. Most of the early infiltratees were members of the 338th Division, former southerners who had been settled at Xuan Mai from 1954 onwards. Regular formations were sent to Southern Vietnam from 1965 onwards; the 325th Division's 101B Regiment and the 66th Regiment of the 304th Division met U.S. forces on a large scale, a first for the VPA, at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. The 308th Division's 88A Regiment, the 312th Division's 141A, 141B, 165A, 209A, the 316th Division's 174A, the 325th Division's 95A, 95B, the 320A Division also faced the US forces which included the 1st Cavalry Division, the 101st Airborne Division
, the 173d Airborne Brigade
, the 4th Infantry Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division. Those PAVN formations were seen as extremely brave forces by the US forces. Many of those formations later became main forces of the 3rd Division (Yellow Star Division) in Binh Dinh (1965), the 5th Division (1966) of 7th Military Zone (Capital Tactical Area of ARVN), the 7th (created by 141st and 209th Regiments originated in the 312th Division in 1966) and 9th Divisions (first Division of National Liberation Front of Vietnam in 1965 in Mekong Delta), the 10th Dakto Division in Dakto – Highland in 1972 south of Vietnam.
By Lunar New Year eve of 1968, the VPA launched a general offensive in more than 60 cities and towns throughout south of Vietnam against the US Army and ARVN. The US Embassy in Sai Gon, Presidential Palace, Headquarters of ARVN and ARVN's Navy, TV and Radio Stations, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Sai Gon were attacked and invaded by commando forces known as "Dac Cong". The offensives caught the world's attention day-by-day and extremely demoralised the US public and military, both at home and abroad. The VPA sustained heavy losses of its main forces in southern military zones, its guerrillas, and its political hubs in South Vietnam. Some of its regular forces and command structure had to escape to Laos and Cambodia to avoid counter attacks from US forces and ARVN. Local guerrilla forces and political hubs in South Vietnam suffered heavy losses and had a hard time remaining within the delta area due to the extensive use of the Phoenix campaigns and military movements of the US Army and ARVN. These series of coordinated attacks came to be known as the "Tet Offensive."
Although the VPA lost militarily to the US forces and ARVN in the south, the political impact of the war in the United States was strong. Public demonstrations increased in ferocity and quantity after the Tet Offensive. From 1968 to 1972, the 5th, 7th, and 9th divisions had to fight for their existence in Cambodia against the US forces, ARVN, and Cambodian Prime Minister Lon Nol
's troops but they also gained new allies: a part of the Cambodian army, guerrilla fighters supporting former Prime Minister Sihanouk
, and later, the Khmer Rouge
. The VPA succeeded against its enemies by supporting Sihanouk's forces rebelling against Lon Nol's regime, fighting and chasing ARVN forces from Cambodia, and containing the US influence in Cambodia.
In early 1975, nearly two years after the United States' withdrawal from South Vietnam (according to the terms of the Paris Peace Accords
), the VPA launched a campaign to unite Vietnam. However, when the US left, it took with it billions of dollars in aid intended for South Vietnam, leaving the battered nation defenseless. Nothing now stood in North Vietnam's way, allowing the VPA to push deep into the South to secure victory.
Both in Cambodia and in Laos, the heavily armed and battle-hardened Vietnam People's Army was a valuable ally to the Pathet Lao or the FUNSK forces, providing economy and military aid, also with new weapons, technologies and intelligence. Some claimed that just like the US Army relationship with the ARVN, Kingdom of Laos
and the Khmer Republic
and it's successor, the Khmer Rouge
, the PAVN was having a key roles in both cases, and could be the real power standing after them.
, to coordinate national defense and the economy. The VPA has regularly sent troops to aid with natural disasters such as flooding, landslides etc. The VPA is also involved in such areas as industry, agriculture, forestry
, fishery
and telecommunications. The VPA has numerous small firms which have become quite profitable in recent years. However, recent decrees have effectively prohibited the commercialisation of the military.
The Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces is the President of Vietnam
, though this position is nominal and real power is assumed by the Central Military Commission
of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam
. The secretary of Central Military Commission (usually the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
) is the de facto Commander and now is Nguyễn Phú Trọng.
The Minister of National Defense oversees operations of the Ministry of Defence
, and the VPA. He also oversees such agencies as the General Staff
and the General Logistics Department. However, military policy is ultimately directed by the Central Military Commission of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam
.
The VPA is a "triple armed force" composed of the Main Force, the Local Force and the Border Force. As with most countries' armed forces, the VPA consists of standing, or regular, forces as well as reserve forces. During peacetime, the standing forces are minimized in number, and kept combat-ready by regular physical and weapon
s training, and stock maintenance.
It is subdivided into the following branches and sub-branches:
As mentioned above, reserves exist in all branches and are organized in the same way as the standing forces, with the same chain of command
, and with officer
s and non-commissioned officer
s.
See Vietnamese military ranks and insignia
.
Note:Vietnam Strategic Rear Force (Lực lượng dự bị chiến lược) is also a part of the ground force.
Apart from its occupation of half of the disputed Spratly Islands
, which have been claimed as Vietnamese territory since the 17th century, Vietnam has not officially had forces stationed internationally since its withdrawal from Cambodia and Laos in early 1990.
Some pro-Hmong sources and international organizations claimed that since the end of the Vietnam War
, Vietnamese forces are sent to Laos repeatedly to quell the Hmong rebellion. For example, in late November 2009, shortly before the start of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games
in Vientiane
, the Vietnamese army undertook a major troop surge in key rural and mountainous provinces in Laos where Lao and Hmong civilians and religious believers, including Christians, have sought sanctuary.
In 1991, Conboy et al. stated that the VPA Ground Forces had four 'Strategic Army Corps' in the early 1990s, numbering 1–4, from north to south. 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
, located in the Red River Delta region, consisted of the 308th (one of the six original 'Steel and Iron' divisions) and 312th Divisions, and the 309th Infantry Regiment. The other three corps, 2 SAC, 3 SAC, and 4 SAC, were further south, with 4th Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
, in what was South Vietnam, consisting of two former PLAF divisions, the 7th and 9th.
The IISS Military Balance 2008 attributes the Vietnamese ground forces with an estimated 412,000 personnel. Formations, according to the IISS, include nine military regions, 14 corps headquarters, 10 armoured brigades, three mechanised infantry division
s, and 67 infantry divisions whose strengths range from 5,000 to 12,500.
The IISS estimate of 14 corps headquarters appears to be too high. Vietnamese Wikipedia entries suggest that a number of other corps heaquarters, including the 5th, 14th, and 68th, have indeed existed in the past, but now have been disbanded.
Smaller formations include 17 independent infantry regiments, one airborne brigade, various đặc công brigades and battalions of both of land combat – Đặc công bộ, urban combat – Đặc công biệt động and water-based combat – Đặc công nước (special task force units with unique high-level guerrila offensive combat tactics, sometimes incorrectly identified as "Sappers"; previously there had been a commando hunting force of this branch during Vietnam war, which has now evolved into an anti-terrorist force), more than 10 brigades of field artillery, eight divisions and more than 20 independent brigades of engineers, and 10–16 economic construction divisions.
and "self-defense forces," act on the local level in protection of people and local authorities. While the local forces are regular VPA forces, the militia consists of rural civilians, and the self-defense forces consist of civilians who live in urban areas and/or work in large groups, such as at construction sites or farms. The current number stands at 3–4 million part-time soldiers.
was the main supplier of military hardware to North Vietnam. After the latter's victory in the war, it remained the main supplier of equipment to the united Vietnam. The United States had been the primary supplier of equipment to South Vietnam
; some of the equipment abandoned by the United States Army
and Army of the Republic of Vietnam
came under control of the re-unified Viet Nam's government. The PAVN captured the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) weapons on April 30, 1975 after Saigon was captured.
The Vietnamese have also produced their own equipment and repaired existing equipment.
Main battle tank (220) T-54/55 Main battle tank (990+, upgrading to T-55 M3) T-55M3 Main battle tank upgraded version of T-55 (990 planned) Type-59
Main battle tank (360) Type-63 Amphibious light tank (320) Type 62
Light tank (180) PT-76
Light tank (300) PT-85
Light Tank (45) SU-100
Tank destroyer (132) – for training M48 Patton
Main battle tank (40+) Phased out of service in the 1980s due to lack of spare parts, mainly use for training M-41
Light tank (90+) Phased out of service in the 1980s due to lack of spare parts, mainly use for training
infantry fighting vehicle (600) BMP-2
infantry fighting vehicle (600) BTR-50
Tracked armoured personnel carrier (750) BTR-60
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (450) BTR-70
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (150) BRDM-1
reconnaissance vehicle (120) BRDM-2
reconnaissance vehicle (480) RAM-2000 Armored Mine Protected Vehicle (150) from Israel Aerospace Industries M-113
armored personnel carrier (245) V-150 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (125) BTR-80
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (several semi-civilian variants of the BTR-80 for rescue operations)(10–15?)
general purpose truck ZIL-131 general purpose truck ZIS-151
general purpose truck—various platforms ZIS-157 and Chinese version CA-30
general purpose truck (Called by "Hero of Hochiminh Trail) UAZ-469
all terrain vehicle UAZ-452
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ452D
single cab pickup truck UAZ-2206
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ-3741
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ-3909i
ambulance UAZ 39625
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ 39094
crewcab pickup truck Ural-375D
general purpose truck GAZ-66
general purpose truck KrAZ-255
general purpose truck MAZ-537
tank transporter
Pistols Standard issue Type-54 Pistols (Chinese copy of TT-33) Militia Force CZ-52 Pistols (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong)
AKM
Assault rifles Standard issue AK-74
Assault rifle (in limited service with the Vietnamese Naval Infantry) AKS-74U Compact Assault rifles (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) XM-177E2
Carbines (used by Special Force and marine police (a.k.a Dac Cong) M16
Assault rifles (decommissioned due to lack of ammo). In storage M16A1
Assault rifles (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) In storage M14
Battle Rifle (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) In storage SKS-45
Carbines (Militia force, Military police) Type 56 Carbines (Militia force, Military police)
SVD Sniper rifles Standard issue SVU
Sniper rifles (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong)
PP-19 Bizon Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) PM-63
Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MP-5A4 Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong – 100 units) Uzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MiniUzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MicroUzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) RPD-44
Light machine guns Standard issue RPK
Light machine guns Standard issue PKM
General purpose machine Guns Standard issue DShK-38/DShKM
Heavy machine guns Standard issue NSV Heavy Machine Guns Standard issue M2HB Heavy Machine Guns (decommissioned due to lack of parts) In storage M-60
Machine Guns (decommissioned due to lack of parts) In storage
GP-25 Grenade launchers (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) AGS-17
Automatic grenade launchers Standard issue M-79
Grenade Launchers Standard issue (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) MGL Mk-1
40 mm Grenade Launcher (a.k.a Dac Cong) M-72
Light Anti-Tank Weapon, improved for more durable launchers and thermobaric rockets, used as flame throwers (stock depleted). Type 69 RPG
rocket propelled grenade system (Chinese version of RPG-7, now replacing by RPG-7V due to lack of accuracy and penetration (Chinese ammo)). RPG-7
V rocket propelled grenade system Standard issue RPG-7
D rocket propelled grenade system (used by Dac cong and the airborne infantry brigade
)/
Russia RPG-29
rocket-propelled grenade system
82 mm Recoilless gun (700) B-11
107 mm Recoilless gun (900) SPG-9
73 mm Recoilless gun (900) 2S1
122 mm Self-propelled artillery gun (260) 2S3
152 mm Self-propelled artillery gun (240) D-20
152 mm howitzer gun (720) D-30 122 mm howitzer gun (900) M-46
130 mm towed field gun (480) BM-13 16tubes 132 mm multiple rocket launchers (160) BM-14
16tubes 140 mm multiple rocket launchers (372) BM-21
40tubes 122 mm multiple-launch rocket system (732) SS-1 Scud B/C/D
Tactical ballistic missiles (2,000 missiles and 60–96 launchers) M-40
106 mm Recoilless gun (decommissioned) M-114
155 mm howitzer gun (decommissioned) M-107
175 mm howitzer self-propelled gun ((decommissioned) ZSU-57-2
57 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun (530) ZSU-23-4
23 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun (500) Type 65 37mm towed anti-aircraft gun (1,200) Type 63 37 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun-retried? 61-K 37 mm Air defense gun (3,600) ZU-23-2
23 mm towed anti-aircraft gun (7,200) S-60
57 mm towed anti-aircraft gun (4,800)
surface-to-air missile system Isayev SA-3 Goa
surface-to-air missile system NIIP/Vympel SA-6 Gainful surface-to-air missile system KB Tochmash SA-9 Gaskin self-propelled surface-to-air missile KB Tochmash SA-13 Gopher surface to air missile system Almaz SA-20A Gargoyle surface-to-air missile system (4 batteries)
attack helicopters (36) Mil Mi-6 Hook
heavy transport helicopter (10-15+) Mil Mi-8 Hip
transport helicopters (66) Mil Mi-17 Hip-H
transport helicopters (69) Bell UH-1H Huey utility helicopter (15+)
Vietnam People's Navy
The Vietnam People's Navy is part of the Vietnam People's Army and is responsible for the protection of national waters, islands, and interests of the maritime economy, as well as for the coordination of maritime police, customs service and the border defense force.-History:Following the Geneva...
(including VPN Marine Corps), the Vietnam People's Air Force
Vietnam People's Air Force
The Vietnam People's Air Force is the air force of Vietnam. It is the successor of the former North Vietnamese Air Force and the absorbed Republic of Vietnam Air Force following the re-unification of Vietnam in 1975.-Beginning-1964 :The first Vietnamese aircraft were two trainers, a de Havilland...
, and the Vietnam Marine Police.
During the French Indochina War (1946–1954), the VPA was often referred to as the Việt Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
. In the context of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
(1959–1975), the army was referred to as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) or the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). This allowed writers, the US Military, and the general public, to distinguish northern communists from the southern communists, or Viet Cong. However, northerners and southerners were always under the same command structure. According to Hanoi's official history, the Vietcong was a branch of the PAVN. In 2010 the Vietnam People's Army undertook the role of leading the 1,000th Anniversary Parade in Hanoi
Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi
The Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi was celebrated from October 1 to October 10, 2010, the 1,000th anniversary of the foundation of the capital Thăng Long by the emperor Lý Thái Tổ...
by performing their biggest parade in Vietnam's history.
Establishment
The predecessor of the PAVN was the Armed Propaganda Unit for National Liberation which consisted of 34 fighters headed by Vo Nguyen Giap who later became the first 4 Stars General of VPA on May 28, 1948, a famous military commander known for leading the PAVN to victories over French forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and against US backed South Vietnam in the Fall of Sai Gon in April 30, 1975. At first, This Propaganda Unit was formed under the guidelines of President Hồ Chí MinhHo Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
on December 22, 1944 with the aim to introduce its members as main force to drive the French colonialists and Japanese occupiers from Vietnam.http://indochine54.free.fr/vm/vietminh.html#top The group was renamed the "Vietnam Liberation Army" in May 1945. In September, the army was again renamed the "Vietnam National Defence Army." At this point, it had about 1,000 soldiers. In 1950, it was officially named after People's Army of Vietnam.
First Indochina War
On January 7, 1947, its first regiment, the 102th 'Capital' Regiment, was created for operations around HanoiHanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. Over the next two years, the first division, the 308th Division, later well-known as the Pioneer Division formed by the 88th Tu Vu Regiment and the 102nd Capital Regiment. By late 1950 the 308th Division had a full three infantry regiments, when it was supplemented by the 36th Regiment. At that time, the 308th Division was also backed by the 11th Battalion that later became the main force of the 312nd Victory Division. In late 1951, after launching three campaigns against three French strongpoints in the Red River Delta
Red River Delta
The Red River Delta is the flat plain formed by the Red River and its distributaries joining in the Thai Binh River in northern Vietnam. The delta measuring some 15,000 square km is well protected by a network of dikes. It is an agriculturally rich area and densely populated...
, PAVN refocused on building up its ground forces further, with five new divisions, each of 10–15,000 men, created: the 304th Glory Division at Thanh Hoa
Thanh Hóa
Thanh Hóa is the capital city of Vietnam's Thanh Hoa province. The population is nearly 200,000 with an area of only 57.9 square kilometers....
, the 312th Victory Division in Vinh Phuc, the 316th Bong Lau Division in the northwest border region, the 320th Delta Division in the north Red River Delta
Red River Delta
The Red River Delta is the flat plain formed by the Red River and its distributaries joining in the Thai Binh River in northern Vietnam. The delta measuring some 15,000 square km is well protected by a network of dikes. It is an agriculturally rich area and densely populated...
, the 325th Binh Tri Thien Division in Binh Tri Thien province. Also in 1951, the first artillery Division, the 351th Division was formed, and later, before Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was the climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War between the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries. The battle occurred between March and May 1954 and culminated in a comprehensive French defeat that...
in 1954, for the first time in history, it was equipped by 24 captured 105mm US howitzers supplied by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The first siz divisions (308th, 304th, 312nd, 316th, 320th, 325th) became known as the original PAVN 'Steel and Iron' divisions. In 1954 four of these divisions (the 308th, 304th, 312nd, 316th, supported by the 351th Division's captured US howitzers) defeated the French Union
French Union
The French Union was a political entity created by the French Fourth Republic to replace the old French colonial system, the "French Empire" and to abolish its "indigenous" status.-History:...
forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, ending 83 years of French rule in Indochina.
Second Indochina War
Soon after the 1954 Geneva Accords, the 330th and 338th Divisions were formed by southern Vietminh members who had moved north in conformity with that agreement, and by 1955, six more divisions were formed: the 328th, 332th, and 350th in the north of the DRVNorth Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
, the 305th and the 324th near the DMZ
Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone
The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.During the Second Indochina War , it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory.-...
, and the 335 Division of regroupees who had returned from Laos. In 1957, the 'interzones' of the war with the French were reorganised as the first five military regions, and in the next two years, several divisions were reduced to brigade size to meet the manpower requirements of collective farms. In May 1959 the first major steps to prepare infiltration routes into South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
were taken; Group 559
Group 559
Group 559 was a transportation and logistical unit of the People's Army of Vietnam that was subordinate to the Rear Services General Directorate....
was established, a logistical unit charged with establishing routes into the south via Laos and Cambodia, which later became famous as the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Ho Chi Minh trail
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Vietnam through the neighboring kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia...
. At about the same time, Group 579 was created as its maritime counterpart to transport supplies into the South by sea. Most of the early infiltratees were members of the 338th Division, former southerners who had been settled at Xuan Mai from 1954 onwards. Regular formations were sent to Southern Vietnam from 1965 onwards; the 325th Division's 101B Regiment and the 66th Regiment of the 304th Division met U.S. forces on a large scale, a first for the VPA, at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in November 1965. The 308th Division's 88A Regiment, the 312th Division's 141A, 141B, 165A, 209A, the 316th Division's 174A, the 325th Division's 95A, 95B, the 320A Division also faced the US forces which included the 1st Cavalry Division, the 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
, the 173d Airborne Brigade
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team is an airborne infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy...
, the 4th Infantry Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and the 25th Infantry Division. Those PAVN formations were seen as extremely brave forces by the US forces. Many of those formations later became main forces of the 3rd Division (Yellow Star Division) in Binh Dinh (1965), the 5th Division (1966) of 7th Military Zone (Capital Tactical Area of ARVN), the 7th (created by 141st and 209th Regiments originated in the 312th Division in 1966) and 9th Divisions (first Division of National Liberation Front of Vietnam in 1965 in Mekong Delta), the 10th Dakto Division in Dakto – Highland in 1972 south of Vietnam.
By Lunar New Year eve of 1968, the VPA launched a general offensive in more than 60 cities and towns throughout south of Vietnam against the US Army and ARVN. The US Embassy in Sai Gon, Presidential Palace, Headquarters of ARVN and ARVN's Navy, TV and Radio Stations, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Sai Gon were attacked and invaded by commando forces known as "Dac Cong". The offensives caught the world's attention day-by-day and extremely demoralised the US public and military, both at home and abroad. The VPA sustained heavy losses of its main forces in southern military zones, its guerrillas, and its political hubs in South Vietnam. Some of its regular forces and command structure had to escape to Laos and Cambodia to avoid counter attacks from US forces and ARVN. Local guerrilla forces and political hubs in South Vietnam suffered heavy losses and had a hard time remaining within the delta area due to the extensive use of the Phoenix campaigns and military movements of the US Army and ARVN. These series of coordinated attacks came to be known as the "Tet Offensive."
Although the VPA lost militarily to the US forces and ARVN in the south, the political impact of the war in the United States was strong. Public demonstrations increased in ferocity and quantity after the Tet Offensive. From 1968 to 1972, the 5th, 7th, and 9th divisions had to fight for their existence in Cambodia against the US forces, ARVN, and Cambodian Prime Minister Lon Nol
Lon Nol
Lon Nol was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister...
's troops but they also gained new allies: a part of the Cambodian army, guerrilla fighters supporting former Prime Minister Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk regular script was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his semi-retirement and voluntary abdication on 7 October 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni...
, and later, the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
. The VPA succeeded against its enemies by supporting Sihanouk's forces rebelling against Lon Nol's regime, fighting and chasing ARVN forces from Cambodia, and containing the US influence in Cambodia.
In early 1975, nearly two years after the United States' withdrawal from South Vietnam (according to the terms of the Paris Peace Accords
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the Vietnam War, ended direct U.S. military involvement, and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam...
), the VPA launched a campaign to unite Vietnam. However, when the US left, it took with it billions of dollars in aid intended for South Vietnam, leaving the battered nation defenseless. Nothing now stood in North Vietnam's way, allowing the VPA to push deep into the South to secure victory.
Incursions
Towards the second half of the 20th century the armed forces of Vietnam would participate in organized incursions into the neighboring Indochinese countries of Laos, Cambodia and China.- The PAVN was having forces in Laos in order to secure the Hochiminh Trail and to support the Pathet LaoPathet LaoThe Pathet Lao was a communist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid-20th century. The group was ultimately successful in assuming political power after the Laotian Civil War. The Pathet Lao were always closely associated with Vietnamese communists...
. In 1975 the Laos forces succeeded in toppling the Royal Laotian regimeKingdom of LaosThe Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
and installing a new, and some sources claimed to be pro-Hanoi government, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, that rules Laos to this day. - Parts of Cambodia were having a number of troops as well, in exchange for a economy and military aid to the neutral Sihanouk government, upsetting the Cambodian military, and with US aid, led to Lon NolLon NolLon Nol was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister...
's coup in 1970 and the foundation pro-US Khmer RepublicKhmer RepublicThe Khmer Republic or République Khmère, was the republican government of Cambodia that was formally declared on October 9, 1970. The Khmer Republic was disestablished in 1975 and was followed by the totalitarian communist state known as Democratic Kampuchea.-Background:Formally declared on October...
state, which also mark the beginning of the Khmer RougeKhmer RougeThe Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
forces. In 1978, along with the FUNSK Cambodian Salvation Front, the Vietnamese and Ex-Khmer Rouge forces succeeded in toppling Pol PotPol PotSaloth Sar , better known as Pol Pot, , was a Cambodian Maoist revolutionary who led the Khmer Rouge from 1963 until his death in 1998. From 1976 to 1979, he served as the Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea....
's Democratic KampucheaDemocratic KampucheaThe Khmer Rouge period refers to the rule of Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen, Khieu Samphan and the Khmer Rouge Communist party over Cambodia, which the Khmer Rouge renamed as Democratic Kampuchea....
regime and installing a new government, the People's Republic of KampucheaPeople's Republic of KampucheaThe People's Republic of Kampuchea , , was founded in Cambodia by the Salvation Front, a group of Cambodian leftists dissatisfied with the Khmer Rouge, after the overthrow of Democratic Kampuchea, Pol Pot's government...
. Unlike in Laos, the PRK/SOC state would not be recognized by the United Nations, mostly by US and China, despite the genocidal record of the regime that had been overthrown. - During the Sino-Vietnamese WarSino-Vietnamese WarThe Sino–Vietnamese War , also known as the Third Indochina War, known in the PRC as and in Vietnam as Chiến tranh chống bành trướng Trung Hoa , was a brief but bloody border war fought in 1979 between the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam...
and the Sino-Vietnamese conflicts 1979-1990Sino-Vietnamese conflicts 1979-1990The Sino-Vietnamese conflicts of 1979–1990 were a series of border clashes between China and Vietnam following the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979....
, Vietnamese forces would conduct cross-border raids into Chinese territory in order to destroy artillery ammunition. This greatly contributed to the outcome of the Sino-Vietnamese War, as the Chinese forces ran out of ammunition already at an early stage and had to call in reinforcements. - While occupying Cambodia, Vietnam launched several armed incursions into ThailandVietnamese border raids in ThailandAfter the 1978 Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and defeat of Democratic Kampuchea in 1979, the Khmer Rouge fled to the border regions of Thailand, and with assistance from China Pol Pot's troops managed to regroup and reorganize in forested and mountainous zones on the Thai-Cambodian border...
in pursuit of Cambodian guerillas that had taken refuge on the Thai side of the border.
Both in Cambodia and in Laos, the heavily armed and battle-hardened Vietnam People's Army was a valuable ally to the Pathet Lao or the FUNSK forces, providing economy and military aid, also with new weapons, technologies and intelligence. Some claimed that just like the US Army relationship with the ARVN, Kingdom of Laos
Kingdom of Laos
The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Pathet Lao overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a...
and the Khmer Republic
Khmer Republic
The Khmer Republic or République Khmère, was the republican government of Cambodia that was formally declared on October 9, 1970. The Khmer Republic was disestablished in 1975 and was followed by the totalitarian communist state known as Democratic Kampuchea.-Background:Formally declared on October...
and it's successor, the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
, the PAVN was having a key roles in both cases, and could be the real power standing after them.
Peacetime
During peaceful periods, the VPA has actively been involved in Vietnam's workforce to develop the economy of VietnamEconomy of Vietnam
The economy of Vietnam is a developing planned-market economy. Since the mid-1980s, through the "Đổi Mới" reform period, Vietnam has made a shift from a highly-centralized planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy which use both directive and indicative planning . Over that period, the...
, to coordinate national defense and the economy. The VPA has regularly sent troops to aid with natural disasters such as flooding, landslides etc. The VPA is also involved in such areas as industry, agriculture, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
, fishery
Fishery
Generally, a fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is determined by some authority to be a fishery. According to the FAO, a fishery is typically defined in terms of the "people involved, species or type of fish, area of water or seabed, method of fishing, class of boats,...
and telecommunications. The VPA has numerous small firms which have become quite profitable in recent years. However, recent decrees have effectively prohibited the commercialisation of the military.
Organization
The Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the Armed Forces is the President of Vietnam
President of Vietnam
The President of Vietnam is the head of state of Vietnam, although the functions of the President are often ceremonial...
, though this position is nominal and real power is assumed by the Central Military Commission
Central Military Commission
A Central Military Commission or National Defense Commission is an organisation typical of Communist one-party states, responsible for supervising the nation's armed forces....
of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
. The secretary of Central Military Commission (usually the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
The General Secretary is the leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The activities of Politburo and Secretariat are directed by the General Secretary. The post holder also maintains the top position in the Party's Central Military Commission, which is considered the supreme military...
) is the de facto Commander and now is Nguyễn Phú Trọng.
The Minister of National Defense oversees operations of the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (Vietnam)
Ministry of Defence is the governmental ministry of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that manages, coordinates and supervises military affairs, including all military units, paramilitary units, and similar agencies in the country. The major office of the Ministry of Defence is located within the...
, and the VPA. He also oversees such agencies as the General Staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
and the General Logistics Department. However, military policy is ultimately directed by the Central Military Commission of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam
Communist Party of Vietnam
The Communist Party of Vietnam , formally established in 1930, is the governing party of the nation of Vietnam. It is today the only legal political party in that country. Describing itself as Marxist-Leninist, the CPV is the directing component of a broader group of organizations known as the...
.
The VPA is a "triple armed force" composed of the Main Force, the Local Force and the Border Force. As with most countries' armed forces, the VPA consists of standing, or regular, forces as well as reserve forces. During peacetime, the standing forces are minimized in number, and kept combat-ready by regular physical and weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s training, and stock maintenance.
Branches
The Vietnamese People's Army comprises various units of the Main Forces (Bộ đội Chủ lực), Local Forces (Bộ đội Địa phương) and the Border Forces (Bộ đội Biên phòng).It is subdivided into the following branches and sub-branches:
- Vietnam People's Ground Forces (Lục quân Nhân dân Việt Nam)
- Vietnam Border Defense Force (Biên phòng Việt Nam)
- Vietnam People's NavyVietnam People's NavyThe Vietnam People's Navy is part of the Vietnam People's Army and is responsible for the protection of national waters, islands, and interests of the maritime economy, as well as for the coordination of maritime police, customs service and the border defense force.-History:Following the Geneva...
(Hải quân Nhân dân Việt Nam) - Vietnam Marine Police (Cảnh sát biển Việt Nam)
- Vietnam People's Air ForceVietnam People's Air ForceThe Vietnam People's Air Force is the air force of Vietnam. It is the successor of the former North Vietnamese Air Force and the absorbed Republic of Vietnam Air Force following the re-unification of Vietnam in 1975.-Beginning-1964 :The first Vietnamese aircraft were two trainers, a de Havilland...
(Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam). - Vietnam Air Defense Force (Phòng không Việt Nam)
As mentioned above, reserves exist in all branches and are organized in the same way as the standing forces, with the same chain of command
Chain of Command
Chain of Command may refer to:* Chain of command, in a military context, the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed* "Chain of Command" , the fifth episode of the first season of Beast Wars...
, and with officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
s and non-commissioned officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s.
See Vietnamese military ranks and insignia
Vietnamese military ranks and insignia
The Vietnam People's Army distinguishes three careerpaths: Officers , non-commissioned officers , and enlisted members ....
.
Note:Vietnam Strategic Rear Force (Lực lượng dự bị chiến lược) is also a part of the ground force.
International presence
The Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of National Defense organizes international operations of the VPA.Apart from its occupation of half of the disputed Spratly Islands
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
, which have been claimed as Vietnamese territory since the 17th century, Vietnam has not officially had forces stationed internationally since its withdrawal from Cambodia and Laos in early 1990.
Some pro-Hmong sources and international organizations claimed that since the end of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, Vietnamese forces are sent to Laos repeatedly to quell the Hmong rebellion. For example, in late November 2009, shortly before the start of the 2009 Southeast Asian Games
2009 Southeast Asian Games
The 25th Southeast Asian Games was held in Vientiane, Laos, in December 2009.This was the first time Laos had held the Southeast Asian Games...
in Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
, the Vietnamese army undertook a major troop surge in key rural and mountainous provinces in Laos where Lao and Hmong civilians and religious believers, including Christians, have sought sanctuary.
Main force
The main force of the VPA consists of combat ready troops, as well as support units such as educational institutions for logistics, officer training, and technical training.In 1991, Conboy et al. stated that the VPA Ground Forces had four 'Strategic Army Corps' in the early 1990s, numbering 1–4, from north to south. 1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
1st Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
1st Corps or Quyết thắng Corps is one of the four regular army corps of the Vietnam People's Army. First organized in 1973 during the Vietnam War, 1st Corps had a major role in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign that ended the war...
, located in the Red River Delta region, consisted of the 308th (one of the six original 'Steel and Iron' divisions) and 312th Divisions, and the 309th Infantry Regiment. The other three corps, 2 SAC, 3 SAC, and 4 SAC, were further south, with 4th Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
4th Corps (Vietnam People's Army)
4th Corps or Cửu Long Corps is one of the four regular army corps of the Vietnam People's Army. First organized in 1974 during the Vietnam War, 4th Corps had a major role in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign and the Cambodian–Vietnamese War...
, in what was South Vietnam, consisting of two former PLAF divisions, the 7th and 9th.
The IISS Military Balance 2008 attributes the Vietnamese ground forces with an estimated 412,000 personnel. Formations, according to the IISS, include nine military regions, 14 corps headquarters, 10 armoured brigades, three mechanised infantry division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s, and 67 infantry divisions whose strengths range from 5,000 to 12,500.
The IISS estimate of 14 corps headquarters appears to be too high. Vietnamese Wikipedia entries suggest that a number of other corps heaquarters, including the 5th, 14th, and 68th, have indeed existed in the past, but now have been disbanded.
Smaller formations include 17 independent infantry regiments, one airborne brigade, various đặc công brigades and battalions of both of land combat – Đặc công bộ, urban combat – Đặc công biệt động and water-based combat – Đặc công nước (special task force units with unique high-level guerrila offensive combat tactics, sometimes incorrectly identified as "Sappers"; previously there had been a commando hunting force of this branch during Vietnam war, which has now evolved into an anti-terrorist force), more than 10 brigades of field artillery, eight divisions and more than 20 independent brigades of engineers, and 10–16 economic construction divisions.
Local forces
Local forces are an entity of the VPA that, together with the militiaMilitia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
and "self-defense forces," act on the local level in protection of people and local authorities. While the local forces are regular VPA forces, the militia consists of rural civilians, and the self-defense forces consist of civilians who live in urban areas and/or work in large groups, such as at construction sites or farms. The current number stands at 3–4 million part-time soldiers.
Equipment
From the 1960s to 1975, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
was the main supplier of military hardware to North Vietnam. After the latter's victory in the war, it remained the main supplier of equipment to the united Vietnam. The United States had been the primary supplier of equipment to South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
; some of the equipment abandoned by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Army of the Republic of Vietnam
The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam , sometimes parsimoniously referred to as the South Vietnamese Army , was the land-based military forces of the Republic of Vietnam , which existed from October 26, 1955 until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975...
came under control of the re-unified Viet Nam's government. The PAVN captured the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) weapons on April 30, 1975 after Saigon was captured.
- 3,000+ tanks: 990 T-55 (to be upgraded to T-55M3), 480 T-72, 220 T-62, 360 Type-59 and 665 light tanks
- 3,600+ APC: details below, ex Soviet, ex US and IS origin
- 24290 Artillery
- 201 Helicopters
The Vietnamese have also produced their own equipment and repaired existing equipment.
Tanks
T-72M1 Main battle tank (480) T-62T-62
The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank, a further development of the T-55. Its 115 mm gun was the first smoothbore tank gun in use.The T-62 was produced between 1961 and 1975. It became a standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, partly replacing the T-55, although that tank continued to be...
Main battle tank (220) T-54/55 Main battle tank (990+, upgrading to T-55 M3) T-55M3 Main battle tank upgraded version of T-55 (990 planned) Type-59
Type 59
The Type 59 main battle tank is a Chinese produced version of the Soviet T-54A tank, an improvement over the ubiquitous T-54/55. The first vehicles were produced in 1958 and it was accepted into service in 1959, with serial production beginning in 1963...
Main battle tank (360) Type-63 Amphibious light tank (320) Type 62
Type 62
The Norinco Type 62 is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s and is based on the Chinese Type 59 with a reduced main gun caliber, lighter armour and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment to help reduce weight. The Type 62 is still used by the Chinese People's Liberation...
Light tank (180) PT-76
PT-76
The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank which was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Iraq, North Korea and North Vietnam. Overall,...
Light tank (300) PT-85
PT-85
The PT-85 is a North Korean produced amphibious light tank, based on the lengthened VTT-323 APC chassis, and featuring a turret similar in appearance to PT-76 one with several modifications. The PT-85 is armed with the 85 mm main gun and an ATGM launcher capable of firing 9M14M Malyutka ATGM. It is...
Light Tank (45) SU-100
SU-100
The SU-100 was a Soviet tank destroyer. It was used extensively during the last year of World War II and saw service for many years afterwards with the armies of Soviet allies around the world.- Development :...
Tank destroyer (132) – for training M48 Patton
M48 Patton
The M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle It was a...
Main battle tank (40+) Phased out of service in the 1980s due to lack of spare parts, mainly use for training M-41
M41 Walker Bulldog
The M41 Walker Bulldog was a U.S. light tank developed to replace the M24 Chaffee. It was named for General Walton Walker who died in a jeep accident in Korea...
Light tank (90+) Phased out of service in the 1980s due to lack of spare parts, mainly use for training
IFV / APCs
BMP-1BMP-1
The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
infantry fighting vehicle (600) BMP-2
BMP-2
The BMP-2 is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s....
infantry fighting vehicle (600) BTR-50
BTR-50
The BTR-50 The BTR-50 The BTR-50 (BTR stands for Bronetransporter (БТР, Бронетранспортер, literally "armored transporter") is a Soviet amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC) based on the PT-76 light tank. The BTR-50 is tracked, unlike most in the BTR series, which are wheeled. The BTR-50...
Tracked armoured personnel carrier (750) BTR-60
BTR-60
The BTR-60 is the first vehicle in a series of Soviet eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers. It was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the BTR-152 and was seen first time in public in 1961...
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (450) BTR-70
BTR-70
The BTR-70 is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier , originally developed during the late 1960s under the industrial designator GAZ-4905. On August 21, 1972, it was accepted into service and would later be exported to the Warsaw Pact and other allies...
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (150) BRDM-1
BRDM-1
The BRDM-1 was an amphibious armored scout car used by Russia and the former Soviet Union...
reconnaissance vehicle (120) BRDM-2
BRDM-2
The BRDM-2 is an amphibious armoured patrol car used by Russia and the former Soviet Union. It was also known under designations BTR-40PB, BTR-40P-2 and GAZ 41-08...
reconnaissance vehicle (480) RAM-2000 Armored Mine Protected Vehicle (150) from Israel Aerospace Industries M-113
M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
armored personnel carrier (245) V-150 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (125) BTR-80
BTR-80
BTR-80 is an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in the Soviet Union. Production started in 1986 and replaced the previous versions, BTR-60 and BTR-70 in the Soviet army. -Description:The Soviets based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC...
Wheeled armoured personnel carrier (several semi-civilian variants of the BTR-80 for rescue operations)(10–15?)
Trucks
ZIL-130ZIL-130
ZIL-130 is a Soviet/Russian truck designed and developed by ZIL, Moscow, Russia. It replaced the older ZIL-164. First prototypes were built in 1958. Produced since 1962, mass produced since 1964. Was one of the most popular cargo trucks in the USSR and Russia, in total ZIL made 3,380,000 up to 1994...
general purpose truck ZIL-131 general purpose truck ZIS-151
ZiS-151
The ZiS-151 is a general-purpose truck, produced by the Soviet Union in 1947–65, at Automotive Factory No. 2 Zavod imeni Stalina. In 1956, the factory was renamed Zavod imeni Likhacheva, and new trucks were called ZiL-151 ....
general purpose truck—various platforms ZIS-157 and Chinese version CA-30
Jiefang CA-30
The Jiefang CA-30 is a military truck used widely by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It is a direct copy of the Russian ZIL-157 6x6 army truck, and looks mostly identical to it, except that it has square fenders rather than round fenders as on the ZIL-157.-History:Throughout the 1950s, the...
general purpose truck (Called by "Hero of Hochiminh Trail) UAZ-469
UAZ-469
The UAZ-469 is an all-terrain vehicle manufactured by UAZ. It was used by the Red Army and other Warsaw Pact forces, as well as paramilitary units in Eastern Bloc countries. In the Soviet Union, it also saw widespread service in all state organizations that needed a robust off-road vehicle.The...
all terrain vehicle UAZ-452
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ452D
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
single cab pickup truck UAZ-2206
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ-3741
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ-3909i
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
ambulance UAZ 39625
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
4x4 van-type transport vehicle UAZ 39094
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 UAZ-452 UAZ-452 («Bukhanka»("Loaf (of bread)"), "Tabletka"("Pill"), "Golovastik" ("Tadpole") is a family of unique off-road cars produced at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant.Serial production of the UAZ-452 started in 1965. The engine is from the GAZ-21....
crewcab pickup truck Ural-375D
Ural-375D
The Ural-375D is a general purpose 4.5 ton 6x6 truck, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in the Russian SFSR since 1961. The ZIL-157 was the standard Soviet truck until it was replaced by the Ural-375D, which became the standard Soviet truck in 1979. The Ural-375D was soon replaced by the...
general purpose truck GAZ-66
GAZ-66
The GAZ-66 is a Russian 4x4 all-road military truck produced by GAZ. It was the main transport vehicle for motorized infantry of the Soviet Army and is still employed in former Soviet Union countries...
general purpose truck KrAZ-255
KrAZ
KrAZ is a factory that produces trucks and other special-purpose vehicles in Kremenchuk, Ukraine; particularly heavy-duty off-road models...
general purpose truck MAZ-537
MAZ-535
MAZ-535 is a Soviet/Russian army vehicle, an artillery truck designed and developed by MAZ, Minsk automobile plant, Belarus. Designed in the beginning of 1960s.MAZ-535A was capable of towing an R-14 IRBM.- Specifications :* wheel formula - 8x8...
tank transporter
- USA M-35M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truckThe M35 family of trucks is a long-lived vehicle initially deployed by the United States Army, and subsequently utilized by many nations around the world. A truck in the 2½ ton weight class, it was one of many vehicles in U.S...
cargo truck (decommissioned) M-151 Jeep (decommissioned)
Infantry weapons
TT-33 Pistols Militia force PMM Pistols Standard issue service pistol. APSStechkin APS
The Stechkin APS is a Russian selective fire machine pistol. It bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin.-Adoption:The Stechkin pistol was originally chambered for 7.62x25mm Tokarev...
Pistols Standard issue Type-54 Pistols (Chinese copy of TT-33) Militia Force CZ-52 Pistols (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong)
AKM
AKM
The AKM is a 7.62mm assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is an upgraded version of the AK-47 rifle and was developed in the 1950s....
Assault rifles Standard issue AK-74
AK-74
The AK-74 is an assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union as the replacement for the earlier AKM...
Assault rifle (in limited service with the Vietnamese Naval Infantry) AKS-74U Compact Assault rifles (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) XM-177E2
CAR-15
The Colt Automatic Rifle-15 Military Weapons System or CAR-15 was a family of AR-15 and M16 rifle–based firearms marketed by Colt in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Due to their compact size, the short-barreled Colt Commando and XM177 versions of this family continued to be issued to the U.S...
Carbines (used by Special Force and marine police (a.k.a Dac Cong) M16
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
Assault rifles (decommissioned due to lack of ammo). In storage M16A1
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
Assault rifles (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) In storage M14
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
Battle Rifle (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) In storage SKS-45
SKS
The SKS is a Soviet semi-automatic rifle chambered for the 7.62x39mm round, designed in 1943 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. SKS-45 is an acronym for Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova, 1945 Simonov system, 1945), or SKS 45. The Sks is a scaled down version of the PTRS-41 anti-tank rifle also...
Carbines (Militia force, Military police) Type 56 Carbines (Militia force, Military police)
SVD Sniper rifles Standard issue SVU
Dragunov SVU
The OTs-03 SVU is a bullpup configuration of the SVD sniper rifle. The SVU was developed to meet the needs of the security forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as OMON. The SVU was first seen in usage in the First Chechen War...
Sniper rifles (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong)
PP-19 Bizon Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) PM-63
PM-63 Rak
The PM-63 RAK is a Polish 9mm submachine gun, designed by Piotr Wilniewczyc in cooperation with Tadeusz Bednarski, Grzegorz Czubak and Marian Wakalski...
Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MP-5A4 Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong – 100 units) Uzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MiniUzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) MicroUzi Submachine guns (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) RPD-44
RPD
The RPD is a 7.62mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the intermediate 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge. It was created as a replacement for the DP machine gun chambered for the 7.62x54mmR Mosin rifle round...
Light machine guns Standard issue RPK
RPK
The RPK is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun of Soviet design, developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the late 1950s, parallel with the AKM assault/battle rifle...
Light machine guns Standard issue PKM
PK machine gun
The PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
General purpose machine Guns Standard issue DShK-38/DShKM
DShK
The DShK 1938 is a Soviet heavy machine gun firing the 12.7x108mm cartridge. The weapon was also used as a heavy infantry machine gun, in which case it was frequently deployed with a two-wheeled mounting and a single-sheet armour-plate shield...
Heavy machine guns Standard issue NSV Heavy Machine Guns Standard issue M2HB Heavy Machine Guns (decommissioned due to lack of parts) In storage M-60
M60 machine gun
The M60 is a family of American general-purpose machine guns firing 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges from a disintegrating belt of M13 links...
Machine Guns (decommissioned due to lack of parts) In storage
GP-25 Grenade launchers (used by Special Force (a.k.a Dac Cong) AGS-17
AGS-17
The AGS-17 Plamya is a Soviet-designed automatic grenade launcher currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service worldwide.-Description:...
Automatic grenade launchers Standard issue M-79
M79 grenade launcher
The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War...
Grenade Launchers Standard issue (decommissioned due to lack of ammo) MGL Mk-1
Milkor MGL
The MGL is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent...
40 mm Grenade Launcher (a.k.a Dac Cong) M-72
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
Light Anti-Tank Weapon, improved for more durable launchers and thermobaric rockets, used as flame throwers (stock depleted). Type 69 RPG
Type 69 RPG
The Type 69 85mm rocket propelled grenade , made by Norinco, is a Chinese copy of the famous RPG-7 developed by the Soviet Union. First introduced in the early 1970s, the Type 69 RPG is a common individual anti-tank weapon in service with the PLA...
rocket propelled grenade system (Chinese version of RPG-7, now replacing by RPG-7V due to lack of accuracy and penetration (Chinese ammo)). RPG-7
RPG-7
The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
V rocket propelled grenade system Standard issue RPG-7
RPG-7
The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
D rocket propelled grenade system (used by Dac cong and the airborne infantry brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
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Russia RPG-29RPG-29
The RPG-29 is a Russian rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1989, it was the most recent weapon of its type to be adopted by the Russian military before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The RPG-29 has since been supplemented by other rocket-propelled systems, such...
rocket-propelled grenade system
Artillery
B-10B-10 recoilless rifle
The B-10 recoilless rifle is a Soviet 82 mm smoothbore recoilless rifle. It could be carried on the rear of a BTR-50 armoured personnel carrier. It was a development of the earlier SPG-82, and entered Soviet service during 1954...
82 mm Recoilless gun (700) B-11
B-11 recoilless rifle
The B-11 recoilless rifle is a Soviet 107 mm smoothbore recoilless rifle. It entered service in 1954, and was typically towed by a 6x6 ZIL-157 truck or a UAZ 4x4 truck.Designed by KBM, Kolomna....
107 mm Recoilless gun (900) SPG-9
SPG-9
The SPG-9 Kopye is a Russian tripod-mounted man-portable, 73 millimetre calibre recoilless gun developed by the Soviet Union. It fires fin-stabilised, rocket-assisted HE and HEAT projectiles similar to those fired by the 73 mm 2A28 Grom low pressure gun of the BMP-1 vehicle...
73 mm Recoilless gun (900) 2S1
2S1
The 2S1 Gvozdika, ; is a Soviet 122-mm self-propelled howitzer that resembles the PT-76 but is essentially a version of the MT-LB APC, mounting the 2A18 howitzer. "2S1" is its GRAU designation. An alternative Russian designation is SAU-122 but in the Russian Army it is commonly known as Gvozdika...
122 mm Self-propelled artillery gun (260) 2S3
2S3 Akatsiya
SO-152 is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled artillery developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109. The development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR from July 4, 1967. In 1968 the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered...
152 mm Self-propelled artillery gun (240) D-20
152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)
The 152 mm gun-howitzer M1955, also known as the D-20, is a manually loaded, towed 152 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1955, where it was designated the M1955. Its GRAU index is 52-P-546...
152 mm howitzer gun (720) D-30 122 mm howitzer gun (900) M-46
130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)
The 130 mm towed field gun M-46 M1954 is a manually loaded, towed 130 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1954...
130 mm towed field gun (480) BM-13 16tubes 132 mm multiple rocket launchers (160) BM-14
BM-14
The BM-14 , is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple rocket launcher, fielded by the Soviet Union.The BM-14 can fire rockets fitted with chemical , smoke or high-explosive fragmentation warheads...
16tubes 140 mm multiple rocket launchers (372) BM-21
BM-21
The BM-21 launch vehicle , a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, and a M-21OF rocket were developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname means ‘hail’. The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket...
40tubes 122 mm multiple-launch rocket system (732) SS-1 Scud B/C/D
Scud
Scud is a series of tactical ballistic missiles developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported widely to other countries. The term comes from the NATO reporting name SS-1 Scud which was attached to the missile by Western intelligence agencies...
Tactical ballistic missiles (2,000 missiles and 60–96 launchers) M-40
M40 recoilless rifle
The M40 recoilless rifle was a lightweight, portable, crew-served 105 mm weapon intended primarily as an anti-tank weapon made in the United States...
106 mm Recoilless gun (decommissioned) M-114
M114 155 mm howitzer
The M114 155 mm howitzer was a towed howitzer used by the United States Army. It was first produced in 1942 as a medium artillery piece under the designation of 155 mm Howitzer M1. It saw service with the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, before being...
155 mm howitzer gun (decommissioned) M-107
M107 Self-Propelled Gun
The M107 175 mm self-propelled gun was used by the U.S. Army from the early 1960s through to the late 1970s. It was part of a family of self-propelled artillery that also included the M110 and was intended to provide long-range fire support in an air-transportable system...
175 mm howitzer self-propelled gun ((decommissioned) ZSU-57-2
ZSU-57-2
The ZSU-57-2 is a Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft gun , armed with two 57 mm autocannons. 'ZSU' stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka , meaning "anti-aircraft self-propelled mount", '57' stands for the bore of the armament in millimetres and '2' stands for the number of gun barrels....
57 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun (530) ZSU-23-4
ZSU-23-4
The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored, self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system . ZSU stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka , meaning "anti-aircraft self-propelled mount". The "23" signifies the bore diameter in millimeters. The "4" signifies the number of gun barrels. It...
23 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun (500) Type 65 37mm towed anti-aircraft gun (1,200) Type 63 37 mm self propelled anti-aircraft gun-retried? 61-K 37 mm Air defense gun (3,600) ZU-23-2
ZU-23-2
The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.-Development history:...
23 mm towed anti-aircraft gun (7,200) S-60
57 mm AZP S-60
57 mm AZP S-60 ; literally: Automatic anti-aircraft gun S-60) is a Soviet towed, road-transportable, short- to medium-range, single-barrel anti-aircraft gun from the 1950s. The gun was extensively used in Warsaw Pact, Middle Eastern and South-East Asian countries.-History:In the late 1940s, the...
57 mm towed anti-aircraft gun (4,800)
Missiles
Tula Machinery Design Bureau AT-5 Spandrel anti-tank missile KBM SA-7 Grail surface-to-air missile system (A-72) SA-16 surface-to-air missile system KBM SA-18 Grouse surface-to-air missile system (A87)Lavochkin SA-2 GuidelineS-75 Dvina
The S-75 Dvina is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude, command guided, surface-to-air missile system...
surface-to-air missile system Isayev SA-3 Goa
S-125
The Isayev S-125 Neva/Pechora Soviet surface-to-air missile system was designed to complement the S-25 and S-75. It has a shorter effective range and lower engagement altitude than either of its predecessors and also flies slower, but due to its two-stage design it is more effective against more...
surface-to-air missile system NIIP/Vympel SA-6 Gainful surface-to-air missile system KB Tochmash SA-9 Gaskin self-propelled surface-to-air missile KB Tochmash SA-13 Gopher surface to air missile system Almaz SA-20A Gargoyle surface-to-air missile system (4 batteries)
Helicopters
Mil Mi-24A/D HindMil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
attack helicopters (36) Mil Mi-6 Hook
Mil Mi-6
|-Facts:*Test pilot N.B. Leshin has set the world record of speed. This event was awarded by the American Helicopter Society.*Small numbers are still in service, most in Siberia plus a small number with the People's Republic of China...
heavy transport helicopter (10-15+) Mil Mi-8 Hip
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
transport helicopters (66) Mil Mi-17 Hip-H
Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...
transport helicopters (69) Bell UH-1H Huey utility helicopter (15+)
Manpower
The Vietnamese People's Army consists of:- Military manpower—military age: age for compulsory service: 18–25 years old; conscript service obligation: 18 months
- Military manpower—availability:
- males age 15–49: 21,341,813 (2005 est.)
- Military manpower—fit for military service:
- males age 15–49: 16,032,358 (2005 est.)
- Military manpower—reaching military age annually:
- males: 915,572 (2005 est.)
- Military manpower—total troops:
- 487,000 ( source: the independence)
- Military expenditures: $4 billion (Military Balance2007)
- Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (Military Balance2007)