Promoting long-term vision of exporting products made in Vietnam
The booth of MK Aerospace at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 attracted considerable attention with prominent phrases like "Made in Vietnam" and "Owned by Vietnam", along with high-precision weaponry such as the Magic Arrow missile system — a lightweight, highly manoeuvrable and flexible missile system with high effectiveness. Each piece of equipment displayed featured Vietnam’s national flag.
Introducing a series of "Made in Vietnam" products to the expo, MK Aerospace, a Vietnamese defence industry enterprise, has been promoting its long-term vision by providing both domestic and international markets with products manufactured in Vietnam. To achieve this goal, Nguyen Trong Khang stated that the company has been investing in enhancing its production capacity, constantly innovating and developing, and seeking new technological solutions to master and own core technology.
One of the company’s standout products is the Turbojet Engine. According to Khang, few companies around the world have mastered the technology of this new generation of aviation engines. This product is designed for use in missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), offering an exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio, low fuel consumption, a streamlined design, and a wide operating temperature range. The company’s core products are military equipment, precision-guided weapons, which have made MK Aerospace one of the leading private companies in Vietnam to venture into the defence industry sector.
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| The GT-150 and GT-130 Turbojet Engines are designed for cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions (PGMs), drones, and UAVs with high accuracy. |
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| The Light Missile System (LMS) is capable of being installed at the rear of a standard pickup truck. With its high mobility and flexibility, the device does not require balancing or stabilisation, allowing for quick deployment and operation. |
MK Aerospace, although newly established in 2023, has successfully acquired and mastered several core technologies in the defence sector thanks to its team of highly skilled engineers from both domestic and international backgrounds. It has taken a proactive approach in implementing research and development (R&D) activities and managing supply chains to ensure the production of defence products domestically in Vietnam.
Khang said that thanks to his experience in working with South African partners for many years, he decided to acquire three companies along with their R&D teams from South Africa, which has an advanced defence industry but had previously endured sanctions. The country has been strongly promoting the strategy of developing various defence technologies for self-sufficiency, self-production and development. South Africa possesses many core technologies such as probes, precision missiles, mechatronics, and rocket gas turbine engines, which not all countries are capable of producing.
Bringing foreign technology to Vietnam
Khang recognised the similarities between Vietnam and South Africa in their defence industry development strategies. Vietnam is committed to promoting the development of its defence industry by 2030 and beyond, emphasising the need to develop the defence industry in a proactive, self-reliant, and resilient manner. The goal is to build a dual-use and modern defence industry capable of independently conducting research, design, manufacturing, and repairing a wide range of increasingly advanced weapons and technical equipment, thus meeting the requirements of building and combat readiness for the armed forces and safeguarding the nation.
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| The UAV equipment is capable of performing reconnaissance missions and tactical strikes, or being used in civil applications. |
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| The MK Magic Arrow missile system is a multifunctional missile that provides flexible solutions for various tactical situations, including mobile, airborne, and vehicle-mounted operations. |
According to Khang, under the correct policies and the strategic vision of the Party and State on "developing the defence industry in a proactive, self-reliant, resilient, dual-use, and modern manner", many Vietnamese companies have seized opportunities and boldly entered the defence industry, which presents numerous challenges. This has led to the development of a range of military equipment and weapons with high control capabilities and precision, aiming to master the technology to independently produce high-tech products.
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| Foreign partners are interested in the products displayed by MK Aerospace at the expo. |
The decision to acquire and bring foreign technology to Vietnam has helped MK Aerospace not only develop valuable intellectual property (IP) but also supplement its workforce with highly skilled human resources, contributing to the enhancement of product research and development capabilities and self-sufficiency in producing its core products. Nguyen Trong Khang exemplified this with the story of "chips".
In the era of fierce semiconductor chip competition among countries possessing this technology, without mastering and owning it, any use of this technology for production would require permission. Therefore, MK Aerospace has always followed the principle of harmonising the development of internal capabilities with the absorption of global scientific and technological advancements to enhance competitiveness, reduce dependency on foreign technologies, and promote the goal of self-reliant production and technological autonomy.
Opportunity to compete and improve competitiveness
The Chairman of MK Aerospace stressed that participating in the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 is an opportunity for Vietnamese companies to gain exposure, enhance their production capabilities, and improve competitiveness in the export of products. It also allows them to gradually join the global supply chain, generating revenue for both the country and the enterprise.
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| A Vietnamese engineer and foreign expert from MK Aerospace at the company's booth at the expo. |
"Although entering the defence industry is a challenging journey. However, as a Vietnamese enterprise with the aspiration of 'Made in Vietnam', we have been and will continue to make relentless efforts to contribute more practical and meaningful advancements in the defence industry. We are committed to researching and developing more 'Made in Vietnam' products, helping to elevate Vietnam's position on the international stage and bring valuable benefits to the people and the country," Khang said.
