Vietnam receives five T-6C Texan II training aircraft as first US military delivery since Vietnam War.

As reported by Jerry Duy on November 18, 2024, five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II training aircraft arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the first delivery of U.S.-made military aircraft to Vietnam since the Vietnam War. Witnesses observed the aircraft, bearing Vietnamese Air Force insignia, at the civilian airport before their scheduled transfer to a military airbase. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the first aircraft landed around midday following a two-hour flight from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, where the planes had transited.
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In addition to training pilots, the T-6Cs will be used for maritime surveillance, including patrols within Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone. (Picture source: Nguyen Luu)

Vietnam ordered 12 T-6C aircraft in 2021 as part of its efforts to modernize its air force capabilities. Deliveries are scheduled between 2024 and 2027. The T-6C is a single-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured by Textron Aviation, commonly used for pilot training. It is also capable of limited maritime surveillance when equipped with appropriate systems. The aircraft delivered to Vietnam are part of a broader program funded through the U.S. Department of Defense's Building Partnership Capacity initiative, which focuses on training, services, and equipment to enhance the capabilities of partner nations’ security forces.

The delivered aircraft will be stationed at Phan Thiet Military Airport in Binh Thuan province, where they will be operated by the 920th Regiment. They are intended for both pilot training and maritime surveillance roles. Vietnam has prepared personnel through a structured training pipeline that includes English language instruction, U.S. Air Force pilot training, and follow-on training in Thailand. Additional training and technical support will be provided by Textron Aviation Defense once the aircraft become operational in Vietnam.

The acquisition represents a step in Vietnam’s efforts to diversify its defense suppliers. The T-6C aircraft are the first directly purchased from the U.S. since Washington lifted its ban on lethal weapon sales to Vietnam in 2016. At the Vietnam International Defense Expo in December 2022, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper expressed support for Vietnam’s modernization of its armed forces. Brigadier General Sarah Russ of the U.S. Pacific Air Force confirmed at the time that aircraft deliveries would span four years, with three to six aircraft arriving annually.

Vietnam’s air force has historically relied on Soviet and Russian-made equipment, including Su-22 and Su-30 aircraft. Recent incidents involving Russian planes, such as a Su-22 crash during a training exercise in January and a mid-air explosion of a Yak-130 in November, have raised concerns about the reliability of this equipment. Western sanctions on Russia and logistical challenges in its defense industry further complicate Vietnam’s ability to maintain and modernize its fleet of Russian aircraft. While Russia has proposed selling Vietnam more advanced models, such as the Su-57 and Su-75, these offers face uncertainty due to these issues.

The T-6C is expected to address operational gaps in Vietnam’s air force, including limitations in severe weather and nighttime operations. In addition to training pilots, the aircraft will be used for maritime surveillance, including patrols within Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone. These missions will require modifications, such as integrating specific communication and navigation systems, including two UHF radios and an embedded tactical air navigation (TACAN), which is a radio navigation system used by military aircraft to determine their position and provide accurate bearing and distance information to a ground-based or ship-based station.