The Fourth Industrial Revolution has propelled military technology to new heights, with a clear shift towards cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, automation, high-precision weaponry, electronic and cyber warfare, and multi-domain operations. These breakthroughs are fundamentally transforming modes of combat, the organisation of forces, and the structure of weapon systems and equipment. In response to this global trend, Vietnam must actively grasp, apply and develop military technologies suited to its own conditions, ensuring that the armed forces meet the demands of modernisation and the mission of safeguarding the Homeland.
At present, the rapid advances in science and technology are bringing about a decisive turning point in global military affairs, reshaping force structures, doctrines of warfare, and the balance of power between nations.
The defining features of modern warfare are speed, precision, selective destructiveness and absolute informational dominance - with military technology at its core. Recent conflicts, ranging from hybrid and asymmetric wars to high-technology warfare, have underscored one simple reality: those who master technology hold the strategic advantage on the battlefield. For Vietnam, in a regional security environment marked by complexity and uncertainty, the study of global trends in military technology is of particular importance. It provides a scientific basis and a vital reference point for identifying priorities, seizing opportunities, and leapfrogging into breakthrough technologies suited to the country’s circumstances and the imperative of building a modern army.
1. Global trends in military technology
Today, military technology worldwide is evolving in a comprehensive and multi-layered direction, reflecting the profound shift from traditional warfare towards non-contact, intelligent and multi-domain operations. Four strategic trends stand out.
First, the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is ushering in an era of smart weaponry. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground and surface vehicles, as well as combat robots, now enable operations without direct human presence - reducing casualties and expanding the battlespace. AI is being integrated into command-and-control systems, reconnaissance data analysis, target recognition and real-time operational planning, compressing the decision-making cycle from hours to mere minutes. Recent studies indicate that more than 50 countries are pursuing AI-enabled weapons programmes, with the United States, Russia and China leading the way in autonomous combat UAVs, unmanned tanks and intelligent defence systems.
Second, the rapid development of high-precision weapons and hypersonic missiles is fundamentally altering the deterrence landscape and shifting battlefield superiority. Precision-guided munitions - from smart bombs and satellite-guided missiles to laser-guided artillery shells - enable strategic strikes thousands of kilometres away with near-perfect accuracy. Meanwhile, hypersonic missiles, travelling at speeds above Mach 5 with non-linear trajectories and exceptional manoeuvrability, render traditional air defence systems almost obsolete. Russia has already deployed its Kinzhal and Avangard systems, while the US and China are accelerating programmes such as the HAWC hypersonic cruise missile and the DF-ZF glide vehicle, signalling fierce competition in this field.
Third, electronic and cyber warfare - often described as the “invisible battlefield” - has become decisive in modern conflict. Electronic suppression, jamming, signal disruption and cyberattacks can paralyse command-and-control systems and neutralise an adversary’s firepower. From the Middle East to Eastern Europe, recent conflicts demonstrate that dominance in cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum determines the ability to control the battlefield. The integration of electronic and cyber operations into a unified “soft-suppression envelope” across the entire battlespace is emerging as the preferred approach of major powers.
Fourth, advances in sensor technologies, stealth materials and multi-domain operations are reshaping both perception and survivability in warfare. Phased-array radar, remote-sensing satellites, multi-spectral sensors and underwater reconnaissance systems have greatly enhanced situational awareness and early warning. At the same time, radar-absorbing coatings and infrared-suppressing materials increase the survivability of weapons and platforms. Multi-domain operations - linking land, sea, air, cyber and even space in real time - are establishing a new paradigm. Such operations require unified command-and-control systems capable of integrating data from multiple sources to coordinate firepower with precision and agility.
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2. Challenges in building a modern Army
The current trends in military technology present both opportunities and strategic challenges in the process of developing a modern army. On the opportunity side, access to, learning from, and transferring cutting-edge technologies can help Vietnam’s armed forces narrow the gap with regional and global militaries, while strengthening their capacity for proactive defence. The application of AI in command, control and reconnaissance enhances the ability to conduct non-contact operations; meanwhile, advances in sensor and stealth technologies bolster defensive capability and create tactical advantages on the battlefield. Building modern electronic and cyber warfare forces offers protection for military information infrastructure, helps to pre-empt remote attacks, and establishes a form of “soft shield” in high-technology warfare. Yet the challenges are no less formidable. The most significant limitation remains the modest domestic capacity for research, development and mastery of military technologies. The defence industry is not yet strong enough to produce advanced weapons and equipment that require sophisticated technical and technological foundations. Dependence on imported arms carries risks of vulnerability in operation, maintenance and upgrading - particularly as many advanced weapons systems are tied to proprietary software and exclusive technical processes. Moreover, the pace of global technological innovation is so rapid that much equipment can become obsolete within a decade, creating constant pressure to modernise and maintain combat effectiveness. Most critically, the pool of high-tech human resources in the military field is still thin and dispersed, falling short of the requirements for research, integration and operation of high-technology weapons systems. This gap is most evident in key areas such as AI, stealth materials and cyber warfare.
3. Solutions for developing military technology to build a modern Army
Given global technological trends and the challenges identified, seizing opportunities and overcoming obstacles in the drive to modernise the armed forces requires a comprehensive, multi-layered and context-specific strategy for developing military technology. At the heart of this effort lies a strategic commitment to advancing “self-reliant, resilient, dual-use and modern” science and technology as a foundation for mastering key strategic technologies. This means continuing to thoroughly implement the Party’s resolutions and plans on science and technology, with particular emphasis on building a domestic ecosystem for research, production and deployment of advanced weapons and equipment. Such an ecosystem must be grounded in close linkages between defence research institutes, weapons manufacturing plants, technical universities and civilian technology enterprises. A dual-use model would allow civilian achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to be rapidly transferred into the military domain, while simultaneously boosting economic and technical efficiency. Priority must be given to strengthening core research and production centres to design, test and upgrade main battle systems, gradually reducing reliance on imports, especially in radar, missile, jet engine, stealth materials, AI, automation and defence electronics. Alongside this, it is vital to train and develop a high-quality pool of scientific and technological personnel for the armed forces, creating an interdisciplinary cadre capable of designing, manufacturing and upgrading new-generation weapons systems. At the same time, selective international cooperation on military technology must be pursued, with priority given to acquiring advanced defensive technologies while safeguarding secrecy and information security. By tightly combining domestic research with carefully chosen foreign transfers, Vietnam can shorten the time needed to master critical technologies and strengthen its self-reliance. Once the defence industry reaches high levels of autonomy and mastery of core technologies, the Army will have a firm foundation for modernisation.
On the basis of science and technology, particularly the domestic defence industry, it is essential to implement solutions for the development of military technology tailored to the specific characteristics of each service branch, ensuring synchronisation while maintaining focus and priorities. Since each branch has distinct missions, operational environments, and adversaries, the determination of objectives for military technology development must rest upon the principles of guaranteeing victory in all combat scenarios; progressively mastering key technologies; prioritising the building of asymmetric defence capabilities; and enhancing mobility, precision, and automation in combat. For the Air Defence-Air Force, the strategic requirement is to build a force capable of firmly protecting critical airspace and maritime zones, while simultaneously coordinating with other services and arms in high-tech warfare. Technological development should focus on modernising a multi-layered air defence system, including long-range surveillance radars, automated command-and-control systems, and medium- to long-range surface-to-air missiles capable of intercepting modern aerial threats, particularly cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. The central solution lies in combining the acquisition of active phased-array radar technology and advanced air defence systems with the domestic localisation of auxiliary equipment; intensifying the application of AI in command, control, early warning, signal analysis, and target recognition under conditions of electronic suppression. The development of tactical reconnaissance UAVs and light combat UAVs will bolster reconnaissance capacity, non-contact strike capabilities, tactical advantage, and reduce risks for pilots. In the long term, it is necessary to build an integrated air defence–air force data centre, forming a foundation for multi-domain operations and rapid responses to any aerial incursions.
For the Navy, the strategic requirement is to maintain mastery of maritime and island domains, safeguarding sovereignty and national interests at sea under all circumstances, from low-intensity conflicts to high-tech warfare. Technological development should concentrate on maritime and island surveillance, defensive capacity, long-range deterrence, and strengthening non-contact combat capabilities. The key solution is to construct a multi-layered maritime sensor network, comprising coastal radars, long-range maritime radars, and underwater sensors, integrating real-time data into command-and-control centres for joint-service and inter-arm coordination. Simultaneously, priority should be given to developing and localising certain types of medium- and long-range anti-ship missiles, modern torpedoes, and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to enhance surveillance and asymmetric strike capabilities. In shipbuilding, emphasis should be placed on selecting models of modern missile frigates, high-speed patrol vessels, and submarines capable of flexible firepower integration, while also upgrading existing ships with intelligent fire-control systems. The long-term strategy is to establish a Navy capable of joint sea-island operations, proactive long-range defence, and sustained maritime deterrence.
For the Electronic Warfare and Cyber Forces, the strategic requirement is to master the “invisible battlefield,” protect military information infrastructure, prevent remote attacks, and develop electronic-cyber suppression capabilities in high-tech warfare. Technology development should focus on building a joint electronic-cyber surveillance and operations system, integrating AI and big data to detect, analyse, and respond swiftly to cyber-attacks and electronic interference. In the immediate term, priority should be given to establishing electronic-cyber operations centres, enhancing proactive defence capabilities combined with controlled offensive action, while developing jamming devices, radar suppression systems, and secure military data transmission. In the long run, a corps of high-tech specialists must be cultivated, capable of developing indigenous security software, operating automated monitoring systems, and conducting integrated electronic–cyber warfare within campaigns, thereby creating a “soft shield” to safeguard the people’s war posture in high-tech conflict.
For the Infantry, the strategic requirement is to transform from a manpower-intensive force to a mobile, intelligent, multi-branch coordinated force, capable of proactive defence in modern warfare. Technology development should concentrate on upgrading existing weapons and equipment, enhancing precision firepower, battlefield reconnaissance, and joint operations capacity in multi-domain environments. The key solution lies in modernising combat vehicles, rocket artillery, and self-propelled artillery through the integration of intelligent fire-control systems, equipping electro-optical reconnaissance devices and tactical UAVs, while developing night-fighting capabilities under electronic suppression. At the same time, it is crucial to intensify the application of simulation technology, virtual reality, and AI in combined-arms training, thereby shortening combat preparation times and improving operational effectiveness. The long-term goal is to build a compact, strong, highly mobile Army with asymmetric defence capabilities, able to effectively defend strategic areas and support joint operations across all terrains.
Keeping abreast of global trends in military technology and undertaking comprehensive and precise analyses of opportunities and challenges, is a crucial basis for formulating an overarching strategy for development and orienting military technology in line with the specific characteristics, functions, and missions of each service branch, towards the common goal of building a modern army. However, this is a complex task, requiring close integration between harnessing domestic scientific and technological potential and strengthening international cooperation, selectively absorbing advanced technologies from trusted partners. This constitutes the “key” to enhancing self-reliance, narrowing the technological gap in military development, and laying a firm foundation for successfully realising the goal of building a modern People’s Army of Viet Nam in the new context.
Major General DO ANH TUAN, Dr. and Lieutenant Colonel NGUYEN ANH QUYEN, M.A.