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// OPERATION BRIEFING · THEATER FILE

VietnamWar

1955–1975

Armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, from 1955 to 1975

OUTCOME
DECISIVE VICTORY A
Era
1955–1975
Casualties
1.3M
SIDES
12
⚔ CONFLICT PROXY WAR

VietnamWar

⚔ Cold War · 1945–1991 is part of this war
{{Plainlist| United States South Korea Australia Thailand Philippines New Zealand +1
VS
{{Plainlist| (from 1959) }} People's Republic of China Russia North Korea Laos Taiwan
Start: 01.11.1955 End: 30.04.1975 Duration: 19 years 6 months 5 days Participants: 12 countries Weapons: 404 systems
Overview
Sides
Chronology
Weapons
Outcomes
01 / Overview
Vietnam War
Date
1955–1975
Type
proxy war
Duration
19 years 6 months 5 days
Participants
United States South Korea Australia Thailand Philippines New Zealand +6
Weapon System
404
Outcome
decisive victory a
Parent War
Cold War
Conflict Intensity Very High
Duration
7,120
days
Human Loss
1,291,426
total
Intensity
181
deaths / day
Intensity Rank
#29
/ 362 conflicts
Casualty Rank
#6
top 5%
less intense
most intense
ⓘ Intensity is based on the average daily death toll.
02 / Sides
Belligerents 12 participants
{{Plainlist|
United States United States Primary South Korea South Korea Primary Australia Australia Primary Thailand Thailand Primary Philippines Philippines Primary New Zealand New Zealand Primary Vietnam Vietnam Primary
VS
{{Plainlist| (from 1959) }}
People's Republic of China People's Republic of China Primary Russia Russia Primary North Korea North Korea Primary Laos Laos Secondary Taiwan Taiwan Secondary
03 / Weapons & Equipment · 189 systems
WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT SUMMARY
ORIGIN · COUNTRY
United States
222 %55
Russia
68 %17
France
16 %4
Germany
14 %3
United Kingdom
14 %3
ORIGIN · COMPANY
Colt's Manufacturing Company
17 %4
Grumman
14 %3
Lockheed Corporation
13 %3
Douglas
11 %3
FN Herstal
10 %2
Total 404 distinct systems
Avg. Equipment Age 5 years all equipment
{{Plainlist| 2 years avg. age
{{Plainlist| (from 1959) }} 12 years avg. age
MOST EXPENSIVE $100 Mn Iowa-class battleship
Weapons & Equipment189systems
Country
CATEGORY
Boeing CH-47 ChinookHeavy Lift Helicopters91M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIMultirole Fighters89Lockheed A-12Intelligence / Recon Aircraft87Grumman A-6 IntruderGround Attack / CAS Aircraft87AC-130Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft87RC-135U Combat SentIntelligence / Recon Aircraft86SR-71A BlackbirdIntelligence / Recon Aircraft86Lockheed P-3C OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft86M61 VulcanGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)86Lockheed KC-130 HerculesTactical Transports85Winchester Model 70Bolt-Action Rifles83+223more →F1 grenadeHand Grenades69BTR-50Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)47WelrodPistols58Battalion Anti-TankRecoilless Rifles58Daimler DingoRecon Vehicles48CenturionTanks75Winchester Model 1912Combat Shotguns67M113Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)63GBU-8Glide Bombs53Zastava M57Pistols60M116 howitzerTowed Artillery & Mortars44M56 Submachine gunMachine Pistols57SU-100Self-Propelled Artillery53Sterling submachine gunMachine Pistols62M61 VulcanGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)86Type 96 25 mm AT/AA GunAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)55Nambu pistolPistols48MAS-36 rifleBolt-Action Rifles77M60 machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)69MAT-49Machine Pistols68Luger pistolPistols68Beretta M12Machine Pistols66Modèle 1951 helmetHelmets65MAS-49 rifleSemi-Automatic Rifles64UziMachine Pistols62Carl Gustaf m/45Machine Pistols61Smith & Wesson Model 10Revolvers60Brandt Model 27/31Towed Artillery & Mortars42Winchester Model 70Bolt-Action Rifles83Jungle CarbineBolt-Action Rifles76Type 99 light machine gunLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)62Type 11 light machine gunLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)56M8 GreyhoundRecon Vehicles48Type 92 battalion gunTowed Artillery & Mortars30Winchester Model 1897Combat Shotguns68MAC-10Machine Pistols58LVT-5Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)53Destroyer carbineBolt-Action Rifles57152 mm howitzer M1943Towed Artillery & Mortars50KS-19Field Guns46M110Self-Propelled Artillery65FN CALAssault Rifles71M45 QuadmountGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)66FN Baby BrowningPistols54Ruby pistolPistols54M19 mortarTowed Artillery & Mortars49M55 self-propelled howitzerSelf-Propelled Artillery41M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIMultirole Fighters89Lockheed P-3C OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft86Lee-EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles81P-3A OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft81Lockheed RP-3 OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft80M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79General Dynamics F-111 AardvarkGround Attack / CAS Aircraft78Remington Model 870Combat Shotguns77Browning Hi-PowerPistols75CenturionTanks75De Havilland Canada DHC-4 CaribouTactical Transports75+59more →FN MAGGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)89Browning Hi-PowerPistols75M67 grenadeHand Grenades72Ithaca 37Combat Shotguns67Mk 2 grenade olaHand Grenades51Madsen M-50Machine Pistols49bazookaRocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG)49M50 ReisingMachine Pistols46M72 LAWMultiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)22RPG-40Hand Grenades42PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76RPKLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)76SG-43 GoryunovGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)75Browning Hi-PowerPistols75Colt M1911Pistols74MG 34General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)74M26 grenadeHand Grenades73Type 67 machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)72PPSh-41Machine Pistols71M1917 EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles71+49more →PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76RPKLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)76Browning Hi-PowerPistols75M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73FN FALBattle Rifles70M1 GarandSemi-Automatic Rifles70AKMAssault Rifles69M60 machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)69TokarevPistols67M16 rifleAssault Rifles67+14more →Walther P38Pistols77RPG-18 MukhaRocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG)46Type 30 rifleBolt-Action Rifles70MP 34Machine Pistols61M30 mortarTowed Artillery & Mortars48L16 81mm mortarTowed Artillery & Mortars48M42 DusterAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)55M48 PattonTanks42M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90Lee-EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles81M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79Browning Hi-PowerPistols75CenturionTanks75Colt M1911Pistols74M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73M203Underbarrel Grenade Launchers73M26 grenadeHand Grenades73Bofors 40 mmAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)72Douglas A-4 SkyhawkGround Attack / CAS Aircraft71L1A1 Self-Loading RifleBattle Rifles70+24more →AIM-9 SidewinderShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)69M109Self-Propelled Artillery53Modèle 1935A pistolPistols57MAB Model D pistolPistols56Brandt Mle 1935Towed Artillery & Mortars51Panhard 178Recon Vehicles48M2 4.2-inch mortarTowed Artillery & Mortars48Karabiner 98kBolt-Action Rifles84PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76SG-43 GoryunovGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)75Colt M1911Pistols74MG 34General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)74M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73Type 99 rifleBolt-Action Rifles72PPSh-41Machine Pistols71M1917 EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles71+47more →Remington Model 870Combat Shotguns77Heckler & Koch HK33Assault Rifles75Colt M1911Pistols74M1917 revolverRevolvers68M102Towed Artillery & Mortars64M18 recoilless rifleRecoilless Rifles54M59 armored personnel carrierArmoured Personnel Carriers (APC)50M1 carbineCarbinesM2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90Gewehr 98Bolt-Action Rifles85Karabiner 98kBolt-Action Rifles84PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76RPKLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)76SG-43 GoryunovGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)75Colt M1911Pistols74Bofors 40 mmAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)72PPSh-41Machine Pistols71Degtyaryova PekhotnyLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)71+60more →AMX-13Tanks31S-mineAnti-Personnel Mines73StG 44Assault Rifles67M107Self-Propelled Artillery60Modèle 1935S pistolPistols58RGD-33 grenadeHand Grenades53Orita M1941Machine Pistols45Walther PPPistols62M3 submachine gunMachine Pistols60PPS submachine gunMachine Pistols67Nagant M1895Revolvers57MG 34General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)74UK vz. 59General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)74vz. 58Assault Rifles71vz. 54 rifleSniper Rifles69M114Towed Artillery & Mortars41M41 Walker BulldogTanks35M21 Sniper Weapon SystemDesignated Marksman Rifles (DMR)65Reibel machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)62Degtyaryova PekhotnyLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)71Type 63 assault rifleAssault Rifles61Makarov PMPistols57M20 recoilless rifleRecoilless Rifles51StenMachine Pistols4860 mm mortar M2Towed Artillery & Mortars48Smith & Wesson M76Machine Pistols60Lee-EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles81ROKS flamethrowersIncendiary & Napalm Bombs64B-11Recoilless Rifles59PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76PPSh-41Machine Pistols71M1917 EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles71vz. 58Assault Rifles71Degtyaryova PekhotnyLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)71AKMAssault Rifles69PPS submachine gunMachine Pistols67TokarevPistols67DShKHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)67SKSSemi-Automatic Rifles65+10more →M728 combat engineer vehicleCombat Engineering Vehicles61Type 58 assault rifleAssault Rifles69ATS-59Special Purpose Vehicles64Stevens Model 77ECombat Shotguns60Vz.53 Anti-Aircraft GunAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)41M60 AVLBBridge Laying Vehicles47Type 59Tanks37Smith & Wesson Model 39Pistols69MP40Machine Pistols71BGM-71 TOWAnti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM)59M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90M26 grenadeHand Grenades73M1 GarandSemi-Automatic Rifles70M60 machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)69M16 rifleAssault Rifles67M113Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)63UziMachine Pistols625 inch/54 caliber Mark 42 gunNaval Guns62M109Self-Propelled Artillery53M79 grenade launcherStandalone Grenade Launchers51Type 92Heavy Machine Guns (HMG)49M60 tankTanks44+8more →M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90AC-130Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft87Armalite AR-15Assault Rifles81M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79LTV A-7 Corsair IIGround Attack / CAS Aircraft79Mark 84General Purpose (Iron) Bombs79Browning Hi-PowerPistols75De Havilland Canada DHC-4 CaribouTactical Transports75Colt M1911Pistols74M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73M203Underbarrel Grenade Launchers73M16A4Assault Rifles73+58more →M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90Gewehr 98Bolt-Action Rifles85RPG-7Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG)84Karabiner 98kBolt-Action Rifles84PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79Mosin–NagantBolt-Action Rifles76RPKLight Machine Guns (LMG/SAW)76SG-43 GoryunovGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)75Colt M1911Pistols74MG 34General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)74+89more →M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIMultirole Fighters89M61 VulcanGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)86Lockheed P-3C OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft86Armalite AR-15Assault Rifles81P-3A OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft81Lockheed RP-3 OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft80M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79Mark 84General Purpose (Iron) Bombs79Remington Model 870Combat Shotguns77Colt M1911Pistols74M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73+63more →KPV heavy machine gunHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)82ZB-53General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)80M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79M40 rifleSniper Rifles75M203Underbarrel Grenade Launchers73M1917 EnfieldBolt-Action Rifles71DShKHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)67BM-21 GradMultiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)61Type 56Assault Rifles59PM-63 RAKMachine Pistols54Type 69 RPGRocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG)54Škorpion vz. 61Personal Defense Weapons (PDW)49+1more →82-PM-41Towed Artillery & Mortars41Type 67 machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)72AMD 65Assault Rifles64M29 mortarTowed Artillery & Mortars45M24 ChaffeeTanks26B-10Recoilless Rifles64StechkinMachine Pistols60vz. 52 rifleSemi-Automatic Rifles52Sa 23Machine Pistols47M163 Vulcan Air Defense SystemAnti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)63M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90PK machine gunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)82Armalite AR-15Assault Rifles81M134 MinigunGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)79Remington Model 870Combat Shotguns77Browning Hi-PowerPistols75M40 rifleSniper Rifles75Colt M1911Pistols74M1903 SpringfieldBolt-Action Rifles73M203Underbarrel Grenade Launchers73M26 grenadeHand Grenades73Colt CommandoCarbines73+61more →MAC Mle 1950Pistols64SG-43 GoryunovGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)759K32 Strela-2MANPADS44MAS-38Machine Pistols50Kbkg wz. 1960Assault Rifles61Type 63 rocket launcherMultiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)33

Each system appears only once in the list.

1Boeing CH-47 ChinookHeavy Lift Helicopters91MASS2M2 BrowningHeavy Machine Guns (HMG)90MASS3McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIMultirole Fighters89MASS4FN MAGGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)89MASS5Lockheed A-12Intelligence / Recon Aircraft87MASS6Grumman A-6 IntruderGround Attack / CAS Aircraft87MASS7AC-130Ground Attack / CAS Aircraft87MASS8RC-135U Combat SentIntelligence / Recon Aircraft86MASS9SR-71A BlackbirdIntelligence / Recon Aircraft86MASS10Lockheed P-3C OrionMaritime Patrol & ASW Aircraft86MASS
1Lockheed A-12Intelligence / Recon Aircraft$97 Mn19602Boeing CH-47 ChinookHeavy Lift Helicopters$32 Mn20223Douglas A-4 SkyhawkGround Attack / CAS Aircraft$860 K19544M60 AVLBBridge Laying Vehicles$749 K19875M60 tankTanks$482 K19626SU-100Self-Propelled Artillery$448 K19677AIM-9 SidewinderShort-Range AAM (SRAAM / WVR)$381 K20198M48 PattonTanks$309 K19619M728 combat engineer vehicleCombat Engineering Vehicles$298 K197410M41 Walker BulldogTanks$162 K1988
04 / Outcomes
Outcome & Human Cost
🏆Decisive Victory — Side A
Side / CountryMilitaryCivilianDisplaced
United States58,220——
South Korea5,000——
Australia520——
New Zealand37——
Vietnam1,100,000——
FIRST DEFENSE DEALS AFTER WAR 20 deals
Year Weapon / Product Seller Buyer Type Value
1976 Zerstörer 1-class destroyer United States Germany second-hand $766K
1976 Type 025 People's Republic of China Democratic Republic of the Congo new-build —
1976 Andover C1 United Kingdom New Zealand second-hand —
1976 UR-416 Germany South Korea evaluation-only —
1976 Fiat 6614 Italy South Korea license-production —
1977 McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle United States Saudi Arabia new-build —
1977 Badr-class corvette United States Saudi Arabia new-build —
1977 BTR-50 Russia Algeria second-hand —
1977 Ilyushin Il-38 Russia India new-build —
1978 Foxtrot-class submarine Russia Libya new-build —
1978 Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low — United States new-build —
1978 Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion — United States new-build —
1979 M163 Vulcan Air Defense System United States Yemen new-build —
1979 Turya-class torpedo boat Russia Cuba new-build —
1979 BTR-50 Russia Afghanistan second-hand —
1979 9K52 Luna-M Russia Yemen new-build —
1979 Aérospatiale H-65 Dolphin France United States new-build —
1980 CF-188 Hornet United States Canada new-build —
1980 A-4SU Skyhawk United States Singapore second-hand —
1980 Lockheed P-3 Orion United States Canada new-build —
📚 Sources
  1. Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
  2. Correlates of War (CoW) project
  3. Official archives and academic literature