International newspapers were stunned by the series of 'Made in Vietnam' weapons at the September 2 parade.

Immediately after the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd ended, Janes - the world's leading prestigious defense and security media and analysis agency on weapons, military , intelligence and security, wrote a very in-depth article about the equipment of the Vietnamese army.

According to Janes, this parade marks an important turning point in the process of modernizing Vietnam's defense industry, when Hanoi for the first time publicly displayed a series of self-made weapons, no longer just prototypes but directly assigned to the armed forces.

Notable vehicles pointed out by Janes include the XTC-02 armored personnel carrier, XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle, VCS-01 Truong Son coastal defense missile system and VU-C2 UAV. These weapons not only demonstrate Vietnam's increasing autonomy but also reflect Vietnam's long-term strategy in building a modern, flexible defense force suitable for terrain and combat conditions.

XTC-02 armored vehicle

Among the long line of equipment, the XTC-02 stands out as a symbol of the progress in mechanization of infantry forces. Developed by the General Department of Defense Industry, this vehicle is 7.2 meters long, 2.7 meters wide and 2.2 meters high, enough to carry a combat squad in safe conditions.

XTC-02 armored vehicle

The XTC-02 is equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun combined with a 7.62mm heavy machine gun, providing soldiers with powerful fire support as soon as they leave the vehicle compartment. Thanks to the improved engine, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of up to 95 km/h on the road and 12 km/h when wading, with a range of up to 800 km.

These parameters put the XTC-02 in the group of top mobile armored vehicles in the region, on par with similar products from many countries with developed defense industries.

Not only an armored transport vehicle, the XTC-02 is also highly appreciated for its ability to adapt to many combat environments. The flexible suspension system helps the vehicle move stably on rough terrain, while the body structure optimizes its ability to withstand enemy infantry fire. With this design, soldiers can approach targets quickly, be better protected and maintain combat capability in harsh conditions.

XCB-01

If the XTC-02 represents a breakthrough, the XCB-01 is a clear demonstration of the ability to recreate and utilize existing platforms to reach new heights. This infantry fighting vehicle was manufactured by Factory Z189, based on the former Soviet BMP-1 chassis but with comprehensive improvements.

XCB-01 combat vehicle

The main weapon of the XCB-01 is a 73 mm smoothbore cannon with a semi-automatic loading system, accompanied by a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and especially a B72 anti-tank missile launcher - a domestic weapon based on the AT-3 Sagger platform. In addition, the vehicle is also equipped with a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, helping to expand its combat capabilities against many different types of targets.

The choice to develop from the BMP-1 was not accidental. This was once a popular vehicle line in service in many countries, including Vietnam, so upgrading to the XCB-01 not only saves costs but also takes advantage of the existing logistics and repair system.

This reflects a pragmatic but effective mindset in military modernization: not abandoning what is familiar and reliable, but transforming them into products suitable for the new requirements of the modern battlefield.

VCS-01 Truong Son missile system and VU-C2 UAV

In addition to the two armored vehicles, the parade also attracted attention with the appearance of the VCS-01 Truong Son coastal defense missile system. This is a complex developed by Viettel and put into service with the Navy from 2024, equipped with VSM-01A Song Hong missiles with a range of 80 km.

VCS-01 Truong Son missile system

A VCS-01 battery consists of a launcher, a reloading vehicle carrying four spare rounds, a reconnaissance radar vehicle and a command vehicle. The system's biggest advantage is its speed of deployment: it takes only 10 minutes to be ready to launch, reload within 40 minutes, and the radar is operational within 25 minutes.

With high mobility, VCS-01 can be quickly deployed in any coastal area, forming a dense anti-ship defense network, contributing significantly to the anti-access and area denial strategy.

Accompanying the VCS-01 is the VU-C2, a UAV that the military is particularly interested in. This weapon can operate as a suicide UAV, hovering in the air for a long time to search for targets and then swooping down to attack when it detects an enemy. The VU-C2 opens a new direction for Vietnam's asymmetric warfare capabilities, especially in the context of suicide drones becoming a trend in many battlefields from Ukraine to the Middle East.

UAV VU-C2

Strong statement on self-sufficient defense capability

The first public display of “Made in Vietnam” weapons at the National Day parade has a meaning that goes beyond just a performance. It is a clear statement about the progress of Vietnam’s defense industry, that the country does not only rely on external supplies but has confidently manufactured, produced and put into service complex weapons. In the context of the potentially volatile regional and world situation, self-reliance in defense helps Vietnam strengthen its deterrence power, enhance its position and ensure national security in the face of all challenges.

Looking back on the development journey, from a place where Vietnam was mainly dependent on imported equipment, Vietnam has now introduced a series of domestic products that are on par with many countries with advanced defense industries. XTC-02, XCB-01, VCS-01 and VU-C2 are just the first examples in a long journey, but they are enough to make a big splash.

The September 2, 2025 parade is therefore not only an occasion to celebrate the 80th anniversary of independence, but also a historical milestone demonstrating the remarkable maturity of a self-reliant, solid and modern national defense.

Sharing the same view, many prestigious international news agencies such as Reuters, AFP, AP and Bloomberg all simultaneously emphasized Vietnam's impressive display of weapons and equipment.

Reuters emphasized that this was a large-scale parade, with the participation of Mi-171 helicopters, Su-30 fighters, drones, domestic missiles and Kilo-class submarines, and could not hide their surprise at the diversity and modernity of the equipment appearing in the parade.

AFP and AP also reported, describing in detail not only the grand parade of marching forces but also the impressive appearance of new types of military equipment.

Bloomberg newspaper said that Vietnam is gradually renewing its military image by modernizing and improving its self-reliance capacity with the first introduction of many types of domestically produced weapons and a large-scale naval parade.

Vtcnews.vn

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/bao-quoc-te-sung-sot-truoc-loat-vu-khi-made-in-vietnam-tai-le-dieu-binh-2-9-ar963300.html