Blackbird fighter jet

The Hanoitimes - The purchase confirms that Russia is the biggest arms supplier of Vietnam. Vietnam signed a US$350 million deal in 2019 to buy a dozen of combat training aircraft from Russia, the Vedomosti business daily reported on January 28. The purchase deal covers at least 12 Yak-130 combat training jets, Vedomosti cited two unnamed Russian defense industry executives as saying, giving no details about the delivery time. A Vietnamese Kilo-class submarine bought from Russia. Photo: AFP Yak-130 jet is designed for training pilots of advanced fighter aircraft. It can also be equipped with air-to-surface weapons including guided missiles and bombs. According to Vedomosti, Vietnam would be the sixth country to import the Yak-130, following Algeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, and Belarus. The contract paves the way for the purchase of more advanced jets from Russia, including the Su-30SM and the Su-35, military expert and Arms Exports magazine … [Read more...] about Vietnam signs US$350 million deal to buy jets from Russia

The Hanoitimes - The late senator made tireless efforts to advocate the reconciliation of the former foes to help result in fruitful relationship like today. Senator John McCain remains one of the major symbols in the normalization of relations between the US and Vietnam over the past two decades, said Prof. Carl Thayer, one of the leading Vietnam experts. Sen. John McCain meets Mai Van On, who saved him in the Vietnam War, in Hanoi in 1996. Photo: AP The Vietnam War veteran showed no rancour against his captors or the Vietnamese government while advocating reconciliation, Emeritus Professor Carl Thayer at the University of New South Wales, Canberra, said on the occasion of the second anniversary of the death of Senator John McCain and the 25th anniversary of the US-Vietnam relations. According to Prof. Thayer, the late senator made significant contributions to the bilateral relations for three major reasons. First, he was a prisoner of war from 1967 to … [Read more...] about John McCain – Biggest symbol of Vietnam-US relations

The Hanoitimes - Chinese President Xi Jinping said five years ago that China’s outposts would not “target or impact any country.” The US Department of State has blamed China for failing to keep its promise not to pursue militarization in the South China Sea that Chinese President Xi Jinping made five years ago. Construction at Mabini (Johnson) Reef by China, in the disputed Spratly Islands, in the south China Sea. Photo: EPA/ Armed Forces of the Philippines Xi made the promise on September 25, 2015 when he was in the White House Rose Garden, stating that “China does not intend to pursue militarization” of the Spratly Islands, and China’s outposts would not “target or impact any country,” Morgan Ortagus, the US State Department’s spokesperson, said in a statement. “China has instead pursued a reckless and provocative militarization of those disputed outposts, they have deployed anti-ship cruise missiles, expanded military radar and signal intelligence … [Read more...] about US accuses China of breaking promise not to militarize South China Sea

US President Joe Biden prepares to sign executive orders on affordable healthcare in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 28, 2021. The orders include reopening enrollment in the federal Affordable Care Act.(MANDEL NGAN / AFP) From unexpected normalisation deals with Israel, to a "maximum pressure" campaign on rival Iran, the businessman-turned-president changed the face of the Middle East. His close relations with autocratic heads of states and wealthy Gulf monarchies also personalised Washington's approach towards the strategic region which hosts thousands of US troops. Joe Biden promised to change all that. In less than 10 days in the White House, the new president has already erased some of his predecessor's signature moves, but analysts say many of the flurry of deals struck in the last weeks of the administration won't -- or shouldn't -- be easily overturned. Here is a look at what is at stake for Trump's Middle East legacy: - … [Read more...] about Biden targets Trump’s Middle East legacy