Vietnam -- Drone / UAS Inventory
Last Updated: 2026-03-29 | Next Review Due: 2026-04-29
Last updated: 2026-03-28
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED // OSINT
Source ratings per: SOURCE_RATING.md
Overview
Vietnam's military drone program is modest but expanding. The Vietnam People's Army (VPA) operates a mix of Israeli-origin ISR platforms, Russian-influenced systems, and growing indigenous programs through Viettel and military research institutes. Vietnam's drone procurement is diversifying away from Russian dependence toward Israeli, domestic, and potentially other sources. The South China Sea dispute drives maritime ISR requirements.
Imported Systems
IAI/Elbit Orbiter Series
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Orbiter 2 / Orbiter 3 |
| Type | Small tactical ISR UAV |
| Manufacturer | Aeronautics Ltd (Orbiter 2); integrated by IAI/Elbit for export |
| Origin | Israel |
| Wingspan | ~3.0 m (Orbiter 2); ~4.2 m (Orbiter 3) |
| MTOW | ~9.5 kg (Orbiter 2); ~28 kg (Orbiter 3) |
| Endurance | ~3-4 hours (Orbiter 2); ~7 hours (Orbiter 3) |
| Launch | Catapult / hand launch |
| Recovery | Parachute / belly (Orbiter 2); parachute / deep stall (Orbiter 3) |
| Payload | EO/IR day/night cameras |
| Armament | None (ISR) |
| Vietnam service | VPA ground forces; border surveillance and South China Sea island monitoring |
| EOD relevance | Low -- small unarmed ISR |
| Sources | SIPRI (B-2), Israeli defense export records (B-2), Jane's (B-2) |
Elbit Hermes 450 / Hermes 900
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Designation | Hermes 450; Hermes 900 (if acquired) |
| Type | Tactical MALE UAV |
| Manufacturer | Elbit Systems |
| Origin | Israel |
| Wingspan | 10.5 m (Hermes 450); 15.0 m (Hermes 900) |
| MTOW | 550 kg (Hermes 450); 1,180 kg (Hermes 900) |
| Endurance | ~17 hours (Hermes 450); ~36 hours (Hermes 900) |
| Ceiling | ~18,000 ft (Hermes 450); ~30,000 ft (Hermes 900) |
| Payload | EO/IR, SAR, COMINT; Hermes 900 can carry weapons |
| Armament | Hermes 450: typically unarmed; Hermes 900: can carry air-to-ground munitions (export-dependent) |
| Vietnam service | Reports of Hermes 450 in VPA service; Hermes 900 acquisition status unclear |
| EOD relevance | Low (Hermes 450 ISR) to Moderate (Hermes 900 if armed) |
| Sources | SIPRI (B-2), Elbit Systems (A-2), Vietnam defense media (C-3) |
Russian-origin / Influenced Systems
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Systems | Reports of Orlan-10 type tactical ISR drones in VPA service or evaluation; likely acquired from Russia pre-2022 or domestically produced/copied |
| Orlan-10 specs | ~18 kg MTOW; ~16 hours endurance; EO/IR; catapult launch; parachute recovery |
| Status | Small numbers; Russian supply disrupted post-2022 due to Ukraine conflict consumption |
| EOD relevance | Low -- unarmed ISR; Russian consumer-grade components |
| Sources | Russian defense export reports (C-3), Vietnam defense blogs (D-3), IISS (B-3) |
Indigenous Programs
Viettel Military Drone Programs
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Developer | Viettel Group (military-owned telecom and defense conglomerate) |
| Programs | Multiple UAV programs including tactical quadcopters, fixed-wing ISR drones, and loitering munition concepts |
| Key systems | - Tactical quadcopter ISR drones (exhibited at Vietnam defense expos); - Fixed-wing medium-range ISR UAV prototypes; - Counter-drone systems |
| Status | Mostly R&D and early production; details closely held |
| EOD relevance | Low-Moderate -- primarily ISR; loitering munition concepts if developed would increase EOD relevance |
| Sources | Viettel defense expo displays (C-3), Vietnam state media (C-3) |
VPA Drone Units
| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Organization | VPA has established dedicated drone units within Air Defence-Air Force and ground forces |
| Capability | Tactical ISR using mix of Israeli imports and domestic systems; growing emphasis on counter-drone |
| Training | VPA drone operator training programs expanding; some training with Israeli assistance |
| EOD relevance | Low -- operational units primarily ISR |
| Sources | Vietnamese military press (C-3), IISS (B-2) |
EOD-Specific Threat Summary
| Priority | System | Key hazard |
|---|
| Moderate | Hermes 900 (if armed variant acquired) | Air-to-ground munitions |
| Low | Orbiter, Hermes 450, Orlan-10 types | Unarmed ISR; battery/fuel hazards only |
| Low | Viettel indigenous programs | Primarily ISR; future loitering munitions TBD |
Sources Summary
| Source | Rating | Notes |
|---|
| SIPRI Arms Transfer Database | B-2 | Israeli transfers confirmed; Russian transfers opaque |
| IISS Military Balance | B-2 | Limited Vietnam drone detail |
| Elbit Systems / IAI official | A-2 | Confirmed export systems |
| Jane's | B-2 | Improving coverage |
| Vietnamese state/military media | C-3 | Official but selective disclosure; propaganda considerations |
| Vietnam defense blogs | D-3 | Enthusiast-level; speculative |