[VT]: Message to America (USA)

[HeadlessSeeker]

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Encrypted - Classified - Vietnamese Government Only - No Media - Protected by SIN
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Recipients: Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defence, Department of Defence
CC: Ngô Xuân Lịch, Minister, Ministry of Defence, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Greetings,

As you may have heard through the news the country that I represent the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is currently looking for an equipment supplier for the formation of an Airborne Division and Naval infantry Division. We have been looking at sources of equipment and thus far Russia has made the largest and most comprehensive offer. However, this equipment deal goes further than the formation of these two divisions and goes into the outfitting of our border defense forces and special forces. As the United States and Vietnam have maintained warm relations I would like to arrange for the United States to make an offer. The deal we were looking at for the Russians looked like the following:

16 x BMD-4 125-mm Tank Destroyers, 924 x BTR-MD Rakushka APC, 250 x BMD-4M ACV, 50 x Bumerang BTR-16 8x8 APC, 500 x GAZ-33097 4x4 Logistics Trucks, 10 x 2S1 Gvozdika 122-mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 6 x Vena 120-mm Self-Propelled Mortar Carriers, 4 x Gibka-S, 168 x GAZ Tigr 4x4 Infantry Mobility Vehicle, and 36 x Kornet-D 4x4 ATGM Platforms. This is equipment per division, not a total for both. Then for transports for the Nval Infantry, we looked into the acquirement of 14x Ivan Gren-class landing ships, 8x Ropucha-class landing ships, and 28x Alligator-class landing ships. For the airborne we were looking at 36 x Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A Strategic Transport Aircraft, 36 x Mil Mi-26T2 Heavy-Lift Helicopters, and 108 x Mil Mi-38 Medium-Lift Helicopters. However, due to a new budget, we may wish to increase this to a full airlift capability.

Now here are a few things we are interested in that can fulfill what is needed. The M1128 Mobile Gun System, M551A1 TTS, M113A3, M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle, M1129 Mortar Carrier, M1130 Commander's Vehicle, M1131 Fire Support Vehicle, M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicle, M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile Vehicle, M1151 Enhanced Armament Carrier, M1046/M1046A1 TOW Missile Carrier, M1152 Enhanced Troop/Cargo/Shelter Carrier, M1064 mortar carrier, M163 PIVADS, AN/TWQ-1 Avenger, M48 Chaparral, M548A3, Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, M577, M806, M901A3, Lynx reconnaissance vehicle, M777A2, Cadillac Gage Commando V-100, Cadillac Gage V-150, Cadillac Gage V-200, LAV-300 MK II, Cadillac Gage Textron LAV-600, AIFV-B-C25, and AIFV. Then for air transports, we were thinking of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Super Hercules, CH-47F, Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, and Sikorsky S-61R. We are unsure of equivalents for naval assets however and would like to hear your opinion on that matter. One thing is that equipment must be airdrop capable and work with landing craft as we would like to have interchangeability with equipment from this. Also equipment must be amphibious or at least capable of fording. I am also to understand that american air drop systems can handle equipment up to 42,000 pounds?

While the Russians offer a good deal we wish to stick to the NATO-like standard we have taken with the purchase of Argentinian equipment, and thus it would be beneficial to go in a direction towards your equipment and slowly phase out Soviet and Russian made equipment of a Warsaw pact Standard. Another thing is as mentioned before is that we wish to outfit out Border Defence Forces. Unlike the two divisions, they do not have the requirements listed above and thus can be a heavier nature. We were thinking of equipping each of our Garrisons with 8 x Credo-1E Unified Moving Target Locating Radar, 8 x Fara-VR Ground Surveillance Radar, 32 x Ural-63059 Typhoon MRAP, 50 x BTR-80 8x8, 84 x GAZ Tigr 4x4 Infantry Mobility Vehicle, 40 x GAZ-33097 4x4 Logistics Truck, 4 x 2S1 Gvozdika 122-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer, 4 x Vena 120-mm Self-Propelled Mortar Carrier, and 8 x Mi-35M3. I would like to hear what you are able to offer instead of that. However, for helicopters, I believe that the use of the AH-1W SuperCobra in conjunction with Bell UH-1Y Venoms would be able to take the place of the intended purpose of the Mi-35M3.

I would also like to take things a step forward while asking to purchase equipment from the United States with another opportunity. If this purchase would go through that would bring us more in line with US military standards in terms of equipment. I have also noticed that there is a lack of team players so to say in Asia. Japan is treading the grounds of extremists, and others have been largely silent. I wish to put forward a formal offer, that Vietnam and the United States of America be allies in Asia. The United States would be allowed to position naval assets and troops in our sphere of influence under a mutual defense pact. Then annually I would like for us to undergo joint training exercises. What is your take on this offer?

Best wishes

From:
Pham Xuan Do, President, Socialist Republic of Vietnam

@John