China's Neighbors Arm Up

There was an interesting story by Trefor Moss, in today's Wall Street Journal [ http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-neighbors-build-up-militaries-1424996255]  about the neighbors of China - especially Vietnam - arming themselves.  It reminds me that Vietnam fought a fairly large border land battle with China right after the Vietnam war ended for the allies.  There were 20,000 casualties in that one and Vietnam won.

Now Vietnam has beefed up its air force and navy by adding Russian frigates (6) submarines (6) and aircraft.  The subs are particularly interesting since Vietnam didn't have them before and China has challenged them in areas of dispute where large surface navies would put Vietnam at a disadvantage.  The submarines will keep China looking over its shoulder.  

It's interesting too that these arms come from Russia.  The Chinese are probably wondering how the $2 Billion came to be spent there, even though they know the Russians need the money.  Russia arming China's neighbors might indicate they are not the good friends they seem to be at those press conferences.

Dennis F. Poindexter books at Amazon