Date Posted: 03-Mar-2004
JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – MARCH 10, 2004
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Vietnam replenishes jet trainer fleet
Robert Karniol JDW Asia-Pacific Editor
Bangkok
Vietnam has received 10 Aero Vodochody L-39C basic jet trainer/light attack aircraft from the Czech Republic to make up for attrition losses in its established fleet.
The air force is thought to have possessed up to 24 platforms originally, with first deliveries dating from 1980, but before the new delivery may have been operating as few as 18.
The L-39s acquired recently were delivered in mid-2003 but the deal only came to light in February. Sources following development of the Vietnamese Air Force told JDW that these are second-hand aircraft acquired for about $600,000 per unit for an overall value of $6 million.
The platforms will require some upgrade, these sources said, but details of this planned programme are unknown.
The 910th Pilot Training Regiment, based at Nha Trang Air Base, operates the air force’s L-39 fleet. Nearly all flight training took place in the former Soviet Union until 1991 but has since then been conducted exclusively in Vietnam.
The defence force’s air power capability has also been boosted with the delivery in February of one Mil Mi-17 multirole medium helicopter from Russia’s Kazan Helicopter Plant. A second Mi-17 is due for delivery this month to complete the order. However, neither the cost nor the variant obtained is known.
Vietnam is currently thought to have up to 55 Mi-8/Mi-17 medium support helicopters operated by the 916th Helicopter Transport Regiment at Hoa Lac Air Base. This regiment also has Mi-6 helicopters for the heavy support role and Mi-24 assault/attack helicopters.
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