Vietnam expected to receive 3 trainer aircraft from United States

T-6A Texan II of the US Air Force. Photo c/o Wikipedia.

The US Air Force announced that it is pushing for a contract for the supply of three (3) trainer aircraft for the Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF). 

The aircraft, which is undergoing bidding in the US, is said to have a handover date by mid-2023 if a contract is signed within 2021.  

The planned provision of training aircraft for Vietnam is said to be part of a strategic program of regional security cooperation and assistance between the US Air Force and VPAF. 

 While no aircraft model was specified, it is said to be most likely the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II advanced turboprop trainer aircraft, in which a few select Vietnamese pilots have completed training with in the US in 2019. 

 It was previously reported that the VPAF has showed its interest in acquiring the T-6 Texan II aircraft, as the VPAF tries to expand its option including considering Western-made assets as part of its modernization. 

 But so far no order has been made. Instead, the VPAF has ordered 12 new generation L-39NG advanced jet trainers to eventually replace the legacy L-39 Albatross jet trainers, which are several decades old and are in need of replacement despite upgrades. 

 Currently, the VPAF is using the Soviet-era Yak-52 propeller aircraft for primary flight training, and the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross jet trainer for advanced flight training. 

 The transfer of 3 new US-made trainer aircraft would allow the entry of US-made systems into the VPAF, which currently uses mostly Soviet, Cold War-era Eastern-block, and Russian-made systems. 

[1] Vietnam Times 

 [2] Flight Global