Vietnam displays XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle

The XCB-01 is intended to replace the VPA's existing and ageing BMP fleet. (Gordon Arthur)

Vietnam displayed its new XCB-01 tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) at the country's National Day parade rehearsal on 17 July, indicating the platform's deployment with the Vietnam People's Army (VPA).

State-owned People's Army Newspaper (PAN) reported on 18 July that the Vietnam People's Armed Forces is planning to showcase various military systems – including the XCB-01 IFV – during the National Day parade, which will be conducted on 2 September. Other systems include missiles, armoured vehicles, radars, unmanned systems, and anti-aircraft artillery.

Another system showcased during the parade rehearsal was the locally manufactured Viettel VCS-01 Truong Son coastal defence missile system. The system was also unveiled at the Vietnam International Defence Expo (VIDEX) 2024 event and has been operational with the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) since April 2024. The weapon is operated by the VPN's Brigade 679 of 1st Regional Command.

Vietnam unveiled the XCB-01 IFV, built by Factory Z189 under the country's General Department of Defence Industry, at VIDEX 2024, which was held in December in Hanoi. The vehicle is fitted with a 73 mm smoothbore gun with a semi-automatic reloading system, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, a B72 anti-tank missile launcher, and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

The VCS-01 features eight VSM-01A Song Hong missiles mounted on a VLV-01 launcher vehicle. The missile VSM-01A features a locally manufactured Ku-band seeker and has a range of 80 km.

For more information, please seeFeature: Vietnam signals military modernisation ambitions .