Vietnam gets US Government approval for transfer of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft

The T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft. Photo c/o USAF.

The US Government has approved the supply of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft for the Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF), according to US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kenneth Wilsbach.

During a teleconference hosted by the US State Department’s Asia-Pacific Media Hub on 04 June 2021, Gen. Wilsbach mentioned that the US is committed to help in the delivery and operationalizing of the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft to improve the VPAF’s pilot training.

The sale of trainer aircraft is one of the major projects under renewed US-Vietnam cooperation, as Vietnam has not acquired any major defense equipment from the US since assistance provided to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

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.

Vietnam is the second country expected to operate the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft after Thailand confirmed its order for both the T-6C Texan II trainer and AT-6E Wolverine light attack aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).

One of the VPAF’s pilots, Senior Lieutenant Dang Duc Toai has recently completed training under the US Air Force’s Aviation Leadership Program, with 167 hours completed flying the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft in the US mainland.

In addition, Gen. Wilsbach also confirmed that the VPAF’s chief will be attending the Pacific Air Chiefs Conference in Hawaii, as part of 22 nations who committed to send their air force leaders to attend.

[1] VN Express International

[2] Jane’s