ABSTRACT
The India–Vietnam defence relationship developed because of Soviet-era defence systems, aircraft, and ships. The militaries of the two countries were relatively more adept at operating those systems. Their co-operation also permeated the strategic domain when the two countries faced Chinese aggression at their respective borders. Further, the defence relationship intensified because of the need for the two countries to search for alternate defence systems and second-hand weapon systems from erstwhile Soviet Union constituents, such as Ukraine, Belarus, and many East European countries, such as Poland. This chapter discusses defence cooperation and how strategic understanding between the two countries has developed.
