Vietnam close to a deal for F-16s from US – report

 

F-16 fighters, these examples are from the Turkish Air Force. Photo c/o GDH Defense.

A US-based defense media outlet reported that Vietnam is close to a deal with the United States for the acquisition of no fewer than 24 F-16 fighter aircraft.

According to 19FortyFive, negotiations have been in progress between the United States and Vietnam for the sale of F-16 fighters to improve the air combat capabilities of the Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF). 

Vietnam is also said to be interested in acquiring other defense materiel from the United States, which may also include the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.

Should this deal push through, it would be monumental for both countries as Vietnam is traditionally a buyer of Russian weapon systems, and is believed to be restricted on the export of American high-end weapon systems like fighter aircraft.

Plans by Vietnam to shift to non-traditional sources like Russia has been in the works for several years but not much have been made to support this. 

Vietnam’s recent acquisitions from non-traditional sources include T-6 Texan II advance turboprop trainer aircraft, ScanEagle 2 UAVs and retired Hamilton-class patrol vessels from the United States, Heron UAVs, EL/M-2288 AD-STAR radars and Spyder air defense missile systems from Israel, L-39NG trainer jets from Czechia, and retired Pohang-class corvettes from South Korea.

Vietnam was reported to be experiencing difficulty in maintaining its mostly Russian-sourced fleet of combat aircraft which include the Sukhoi Su-27SK/UB and Su-30MK2V Flankers, as Russia has unable to accommodate Vietnamese requests without huge payment commitments. 

Vietnam is said to be reluctant to make such commitments considering the United States and European Union’s sanctions against Russia due to its war with Ukraine and earlier actions and disagreements with the West.

19FortyFive claims that the VPAF has already sidelined some of its latest Sukhoi fighters due to lack of support from Russia, and the service is expected to experience capability gaps in the next few years unless additional fighter aircraft becomes available to fill the gaps.

So far, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) which is responsible for confirming US State Department approval for major arms sales or transfers has not published anything to support 19FortyFive’s report. 

The most recent DSCA announcement on potential F-16 sales is with Vietnam’s eastern neighbor The Philippines for 20 new F-16C/D Block 70/72 Viper with an expected cost of US$5.58 billion.

[1] 19FortyFive

[2] Newsweek

[3]  Defence Security Asia