Vietnam Tests Smaller Version of VCM-B Coastal Anti-ship Missile System.

At the beginning of June, local media reported that Vietnam had activated Brigade 679 of Naval Region 1, part of the Vietnam People's Navy. This brigade is the first Vietnamese coastal defense unit equipped with the locally developed VCM-B coastal defense missile system, using the VCM-01 anti-ship missiles.
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The VCM-01 missile is the Vietnamese version of the Russian Kh-35UE missile. (Picture source: Vietnamese Media)

On June 7, 2024, it was revealed that a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle from the VCM-B coastal defense missile system was in a testing phase with personnel from Viettel Aerospace (VTX). This test involved a shorter-range variant of the VCM-01 anti-ship missile system, with a smaller launcher. This variant is expected to have an engagement range of 80 to 130 km.

The VCM-01 missile is the Vietnamese version of the Russian Kh-35UE missile. This development marks a significant step for Vietnam, demonstrating its growing capabilities in producing sophisticated defense systems and its ambition to strengthen maritime security amid rising tensions in the South China Sea region.

The VCM-B coastal missile system is based on advanced technologies derived from collaboration between Vietnam and Russia, primarily focused on improving the capabilities of existing systems like the Kh-35UE. The Vietnamese version, the VCM-01, reflects the country's efforts to achieve defense autonomy by integrating local technologies with foreign innovations.

The activation of Brigade 679 and the successful test of the reduced variant of the VCM-B highlight the strategic importance of this defense capability for Vietnam. By enhancing its coastal defenses with modern missile systems, Vietnam aims to deter potential threats and ensure the security of its territorial waters. The extended range of 80 to 130 km provides significant defensive coverage, increasing the rapid response capability in the event of maritime conflict.

The increasing tensions in the South China Sea, involving multiple contested territorial claims, have prompted Vietnam to invest heavily in its defense. The development of the VCM-01 and the deployment of the VCM-B system are part of a broader strategy to modernize the Vietnamese armed forces and ensure effective deterrence against maritime incursions.

The test of the VCM-B missile represents a major advancement for Vietnamese defense. It illustrates not only the country's ability to produce sophisticated defense systems but also its commitment to protecting its national interests in the face of complex geopolitical challenges.