Vietnam Navy Nations // Southeast Asia

OVERVIEW The Vietnamese navy is responsible for the protection of the nation's coastal regions and offshore economic and territorial assets, including several islands and reefs in the disputed Spratly Island archipelago in the South China Sea. The navy has a small aviation arm; the Vietnamese air force operates maritime patrol aircraft in support of the navy. There is also a naval infantry force. A coast guard was formed in 1998 as a maritime police force, which was reorganized as...