134 defense companies from 32 countries register for Vietnam expo

Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense held a meeting of the steering committee for the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2026 on Thursday.

The registered participants include organizations and companies from China, India, Russia, the U.S., the UK, France, Germany, Türkiye and Israel, among other countries.

Twenty international delegations from 16 countries have also confirmed their attendance, including six ministerial-level delegations.

The third Vietnam International Defense Expo will cover about 123,800 square meters, divided into seven main areas, including indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces and an area showcasing defense-economic products and the cultural heritage of Vietnam’s three regions.

Foreign partners are expected to bring a diverse range of products to the expo.

U.S. exhibitors are expected to display products outdoors, including C-130J transport aircraft, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, M777 155mm howitzers, M1126 Stryker armored vehicles and various tactical military vehicles.

Vietnam is expected to showcase 579 products and services from its defense industry.

A list of 123 types of weapons and technical equipment across 80 categories has also been approved for display, including 48 types that were not featured at the 2024 expo.

Relevant agencies and units have coordinated plans to ensure security during the expo, including traffic diversion plans and the use of artificial intelligence for security monitoring.

They are also preparing plans for ceremonial flights, swarm-drone demonstrations, reconnaissance flights and flights for aerial image transmission.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Deputy Minister of National Defense, praised the organizing committee, subcommittees and relevant agencies and units for proactively carrying out preparations despite difficulties.

He required detailed plans for preliminary and full-scale rehearsals for approval before November 10.

Relevant agencies and units were also told to closely track the number of participating partners and guests, coordinate and guide procedures for receiving weapons and technical equipment from foreign participants, and ensure security and safety throughout the expo.

They will also coordinate with Hanoi police units on traffic diversion plans, while performance units will step up rehearsals for events held during the expo.

The Vietnam International Defense Expo 2026 is scheduled to take place from December 10 to 13 at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi under the theme “Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Mutual Development.”

Vietnam will invite about 170 delegations from more than 50 countries to attend the event.