Vietnam CBRN Defence Market Size and Forecast by Threat Type, Equipment, End User, and Platform: 2019-2033

Vietnam CBRN Defence Industry Outlook

The Vietnam CBRN defence market is undergoing significant transformation, propelled by a series of domestic innovation efforts and international partnerships. As Vietnam enhances its readiness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, its defence sector is becoming a regional example of hybrid preparedness and modernization. Notably, the Vietnam Defence Ministry has prioritized technological integration, capacity building, and multilateral cooperation to address emerging CBRN risks posed by geopolitical tensions and industrial growth.

According to reports from the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition, the nation has accelerated efforts to integrate CBRN protection into both conventional military and civil safety frameworks. Government-led research through the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) and strategic collaborations—such as the administrative agreement with the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)—signal Vietnam’s intent to move beyond reactive strategies toward long-term resilience building. These moves are aligned with Vietnam’s National Defence Strategy 2030, which calls for investment in asymmetric and non-traditional warfare domains.

With ASEAN regional threats, industrial expansion, and environmental vulnerabilities compounding the risk matrix, Vietnam's proactive approach is expected to position its CBRN defence industry as a fast-growing, niche segment of Southeast Asia’s broader defence ecosystem.

Key Drivers: Technology Integration and International Collaboration

Technology modernization and international cooperation are the core drivers reshaping the Vietnam CBRN defence sector. A standout development is the unveiling of the XCB-01 infantry fighting vehicle, an advanced upgrade of the Soviet BMP-1, which now includes integrated CBRN defence systems, amphibious capabilities, and reinforced armour. This locally produced platform illustrates Vietnam’s pivot to self-reliance in high-threat scenarios, especially where toxic environments are concerned.

In tandem, Vietnam is developing unmanned CBRN platforms such as the ‘Viet Nam Robot CBRN’ and the ‘Airborne Radioactivity Monitoring System UAV,’ which are designed for real-time environmental sampling and airborne radiation surveillance, respectively. These innovations showcase Vietnam's strategic investment in dual-use technologies that serve both military and civil disaster response roles.

On the international front, Vietnam’s alliance with DTRA highlights a focus on knowledge exchange, joint drills, and infrastructure strengthening. This is part of a broader U.S.-Vietnam defence alignment to counter transnational threats in the Indo-Pacific. Few years back, joint chemical disaster exercise with the Oregon National Guard further validated Vietnam’s commitment to capacity enhancement. These initiatives, paired with growing investment in defence R&D, underpin the country’s move toward operational autonomy and regional deterrence.

End-User Adoption Trends: Military and Civil Integration

The Vietnam CBRN defence industry is marked by increasing adoption across both defence and non-defence domains, particularly within military, disaster management, and critical infrastructure protection. Military uptake is evident in the integration of CBRN modules into next-gen vehicles and field operations, where protective gear, advanced sensors, and rebreather systems are being deployed more frequently.

The People's Army of Vietnam is prioritizing operational efficiency by equipping units with locally produced autonomous tools for mission-critical CBRN reconnaissance. On the civilian front, agencies under VINASARCOM and NACCET are actively training personnel for rapid decontamination, incident containment, and public health coordination. The 2025 agreement between NACCET and DTRA underscores the role of inter-agency and international collaboration in expanding Vietnam’s preparedness levels.

End-users are also investing in interoperable systems to ensure seamless coordination between military responders, local law enforcement, and medical teams in case of CBRN incidents. The dual-use potential of most platforms—such as the use of UAVs for both reconnaissance and disaster relief—ensures a high return on investment. Furthermore, the integration of AI-driven analytics for early detection and predictive modelling is becoming a new trend among Vietnam’s defence R&D labs, pointing toward a more adaptive and data-informed future for the Vietnam CBRN defence sector.

Competitive Landscape and Government-Led Strategic Direction

The Vietnamese government plays a central role in shaping the Vietnam CBRN defence market. Key authorities such as the Ministry of National Defence, NACCET, and VINASARCOM are leading national strategies focused on preparedness, public safety, and defence technology independence. NACCET has emerged as the central node for CBRN research, treatment protocol development, and coordination with international agencies.

With support from partners like the U.S. DTRA and historical alliances with nations like Russia and India, Vietnam is gradually building an indigenous CBRN defence supply chain. On the industrial side, local manufacturers are scaling their production capacities to meet growing demand for mobile decontamination units, air filtration systems, and biosensor-equipped drones.

Regional players like China and South Korea are also entering Vietnam’s market through joint ventures and technology transfer initiatives. International firms such as Avon Protection and Kärcher Futuretech may soon see opportunities as Vietnam opens its defence procurement to NATO-compatible suppliers. The competitive advantage lies in affordability, adaptability to tropical environments, and compliance with regional safety standards. Vietnam’s ambition to become a CBRN-capable nation aligns with ASEAN-wide defence frameworks and points toward new export potential for home-grown CBRN systems.

Author: Surender K (Vertical Head – Aerospace & Defence)

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

Vietnam CBRN Defence Market Scope