List of equipment of the Vietnam People's Air Force

Since the Vietnam War, most Vietnamese aircraft were supplied by the Soviet Union and later Russia, while hundreds of others were left by the United States via South Vietnam. Most of these are no longer in service either due to the unavailability of parts or the age of the aircraft. Aircraft losses of the Vietnam War.

Aircraft

Combat Aircraft

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Sukhoi Su-22	Fighter-bomber	Su-22UM3K Su-22M4	~43 [1]	Soviet Union   Vietnam	According to the Vietnam Air Force Air Defense newspaper, in the 5 years from 2019 to 2024, the A32 factory has overhauled 20 Su-22s and repaired 23 Su-22s at units (i.e. on duty), so 43 Su-22 is the most approximate number of Su-22s in Vietnam. Vietnam has never publicly disclosed the number of Su-22s it received from the Soviet Union or acquired from Eastern European countries.
	Sukhoi Su-27	Fighter	Su-27SK Su-27UBK	10 [2]	Russia   Vietnam	On July 6, 1998, a Su-27SK number 6007, piloted by Major Hoang Ba Tam, mysteriously crashed at sea. On October 2, 2007, a Su-27SK number 6005 flown by pilot Dao Quoc Khanh had a bird fly into the engine. The pilot landed the plane safely but the plane was seriously damaged. Up to now, there has been no announcement that the plane has been repaired. Overhaul done at A32 Factory.
	Sukhoi Su-30	Multirole	Su-30MK2 (Su-30MK2V)	35 [2]	Russia   Vietnam	Significant advancements made in the capabilities of maintenance. Able to manufacture critical components and extend the lifespan of the aircraft by 1500 hours or ~15 years. Overhaul done at A32 Factory.
	Yakovlev Yak-130	Jet trainer / light multirole		11	Russia	According to publicly available documents from the media of Vietnam Air Force Air Defense Command, there is gradually researching and using the Yak-130 to fight enemy air attacks, and partake in Land-Air-Sea attack missions. One crashed in November of 2024. [3]

Transport

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	CASA C-295	Transport	C-295M	3 [1]	Spain
	CASA C-212	Transport	NC-212i	3 [1]	Indonesia
	Antonov An-2	Transport	AH-02	Unknown	Soviet Union	Vietnam still uses the An-02 in unknown numbers for training, special forces parachuting practice, and light transport missions.

Helicopter

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Mil Mi-8	Utility	Mi-8T	87 [1]	Soviet Union	Similar to Mi-17.
	Mil Mi-17	Utility	Mi-171 Mi-172		Russia	Vietnam has never announced the number of Mi-8s and Mi-17s it has purchased or received aid from the Soviet Union. Only the Mi-171SAR version was announced to have been purchased 4 units in 2006 but 1 unit crashed in 2014 so there is still 3. 3 Mi-171 SAR with yellow color.
	Kamov Ka-27	Utility	Ka-32	2 [1]	Soviet Union

Trainer

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Beechcraft T-6 Texan II	Trainer aircraft	T-6C Texan II	5 (+7)	United States	5 delivered, 7 awaiting delivery, on an order for 12. Delivery is expected to be completed by 2025. [4] [5]
	Aero L-39 Albatros	Jet trainer	L-39C L-39NG	24 [1] 12	Czechslovakia   Czech Republic	An unidentified number out of the 12 has been delivered as of early 2024. [6]
	Yakovlev Yak-52	Trainer aircraft		34 [7]	Soviet Union

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	IAI Heron	MALE UVA		3 [8]	Israel
	HS-6L	MALE UVA			Belarus   Vietnam	Jointly developed by Vietnam's Academy of Science and Technology with Belarus; completed in 2015 around November. [9] [10] Specification: Range: 4,000 km (claimed) Endurance: 35 hours Wingspan: 22m
Small UVA
	Insitu ScanEagle	Reconnaissance		6 [8] [11]	United States
	Orbiter 2	Reconnaissance			Israel	Acquired from Israel. [12]
	Orbiter 3	Reconnaissance	VT-Swift		Israel   Vietnam	The VT-Swift is a license produced variant of the Orbiter 3 from Israel.
	VT-Patrol	Reconnaissance	VT-Pigeon		Vietnam	Specs of VT-Patrol: Range: 50 km Speed: 100 - 150 km/h Specs of VT-Pigeon: Range: 50 - 200 km Endurance: 3.5 hours Speed: 80 - 130 km/h Operational altitude (above sea level): 1 km Max altitude (above sea level): 3 km Wingspan: 3.25 m Length: 2.25 m Max take-off weight: 26 kg Take-off method: Runways, catapults Landing method: Runway, net collection Engine type: Gasoline engine
	HRU	Reconnaissance	HRU-13 HRU-131 HRU-132		Vietnam	Specs of HRU-13 & HRU-132: Endurance: 90 minutes Speed: 64 - 130 km/h Max altitude (above sea level): 4 km Wingspan: 2.6 m Length: 1.2 m Weight: 12 kg Max take-off weight: 14.5 kg Control mode: Automatic, manual Take-off method: Runway, vertical take-off Landing method: Runway Video transmission range: 50 km (mountainous), 80 km (coastal) Specs of HRU-131: Endurance: 4 hours Take-off method: Narrow runway, ships, boats Engine type: Gasoline engine, electric motor Operational features: Can carry light detectors, surveillance cams, small devices
	BB-01	Miniature UAV			Vietnam	Tricopter drone that's made with easily available commercial component. It's mainly used for firefighting as it's loadout is composed of two fire suppression rockets. Weighs 16 kg and can carry up to 5 kg of explosives. Demonstration shows dropping air burst bomb. Made at Factory Z113, which is known for making firefighting equipment. Factory also makes portable MRLS for putting out fires. Has built-in camera, laser rangefinder.
	UAV Shikra	Reconnaissance			Vietnam	May be in active service. Produced and developed by Viettel.

Air Defense System

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Surface-to-Air Defense System
	S-300PMU1	Long range air defense and anti-ballistic missile system.	S-300PMU1	12 launchers	Russia   Vietnam	Two systems were acquired. [13] Received upgrade to the command center and range of the missile. Said to be upgraded to S-300PMU2 standards. Factory A31 capable of domestically manufacturing spare and critical parts for SAM missile.
	SPYDER-MR	Medium to long range air defense system.		30 launchers	Israel	80 km range. Five systems (including 6 launchers each) and 750 missiles ordered. [14] The SPYDER-MR variant has a nonrotatable, vertical launcher. Used more as stationary air defense. Can domestically maintenance Derby and Python SAM missiles.
	SPYDER-SR	Short to medium range air defense system.			Israel	40 km range. The SPYDER-SR variant has a rotatable, slanted launcher. Can possibly be used as mobile AA due to quick deployment.
	SA-2 Dvina	Short to medium range air defense system.		~25 launchers	Soviet Union   Vietnam	~27 to 35 km range. The Volga S-75M/M3 air defense missile complex (modern version of SAM-2) uses 5IA23 missiles and is a High-altitude air defense system. All SAM-2 complex systems have been modernized. Able to domestically produce complexes and equipment. Factory A31 capable of domestically manufacturing spare and critical parts for SAM missile. Old missiles had certain analog parts replaced with digital systems.
	S-125 Neva/Pechora	Short to medium range air defense system.	S-125TM Pechora-2TM S-125M Pechora-M S-125-VT	51 launchers	Soviet Union   Vietnam	~35 km range. 30 S-125TM Pechora-2TM and 21 S-125M Pechora-M batteries as of 2024. [15] The S-125-VT modernized variant was reported to be in service in July 2024. [16] Factory A31 capable of domestically manufacturing spare and critical parts for SAM missile. Old missiles had certain analog parts replaced with digital systems.
	9K35 Strela-10	Short range air defense system.		20 launchers	Soviet Union	Tracked air defense system.
Anti-air Artillery
	ZSU-23-4 Shilka	Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun	ZSU-23-4M		Soviet Union   Vietnam	Modernization upgrade includes 4 Igla SAM launchers, digital fire-control system, thermal camera, day-night camera, laser range finder, electro-optic vision, improved weapon radar, replaced mechanical transmission with hydrostatic transmission, added hydraulic boosters, and significant speed improvement to turret traversal. There are more additions.
	ZU-23-2	Twin Autocannon	23mm-2M 23mm-2ML		Soviet Union   Israel   Vietnam	The 23mm-2M variant upgrade included cabin for gunner, electromechanic turn system, modern control systems, and potentially a ballistic computer and fire-control system. This project was jointly carried out by Israel and Vietnam. Similar to the 23mm-2M, the 23mm-2ML additionally includes optronics sensor, laser rangefinder, and potentially a digital fire-control system Further modernization projects includes installing the platform on logistic trucks and adding an automatic control system that's being developed.
	AZP S-60	Autocannon			Soviet Union   Vietnam	57 mm automatic anti-air autocannon. The Vietnamese heavily upgraded the AZP S-60 by equipping it with a fire-control system with radar, optoelectronic reconnaissance equipment, an electromechanical gun control complex, and a digital firing element identification system connected to a computer. The upgraded AZP S-60 can operate without a gunner, is fully automatic, and no longer needs to be manually reloaded. [17]
	61-K	Autocannon			Soviet Union   Vietnam	37 mm automatic anti-air autocannon. Modernized with a fire-control system and radar.

Munition

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Air-to-air Missile
	K-13 (AA-2)	Air-to-air missile		2,550	Soviet Union	Used by former MiG-21 and Su-22M4/UM3K. 1000 R-3S, 800 R-3R, and 750 R-13M missiles. [18]
	R-60 (AA-8)	Air-to-air missile		400	Soviet Union	Used by Su-22M4/UM3K fighter-bombers. [18]
	R-27 (AA-10)	Air-to-air missile		320	Russia   Ukraine	Used by Su-30MK2 and Su-27SK/UBK fighters. [19] [20]
	R-73 (AA-11)	Air-to-air missile	R-73E	375	Russia	Used by Su-30MK2, Su-27SK/UBK and Yak-130. Short range missile. [18]
	R-77 (AA-12)	Air-to-air missile	RVV-AE		Russia	[21]
Air-to-surface Missile
	Kh-59 (AS-13)	Air-to-surface missile		200	Russia	[18]
	Kh-29 (AS-14)	Air-to-surface missile		100	Russia	[18]
	Kh-31 (AS-17)	Air-to-surface missile	Kh-31A Kh-31P	100	Russia	Kh-31 is carried by Vietnamese Su-30MK2. [18]

Former

Combat Aircraft

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Shenyang J-6	Fighter		30	China
	Shenyang J-5	Fighter		10	China	The Vietnamese Air Force used J-5s alongside the Soviet supplied MiG-17s for interception missions until the 1990s when they were retired, along with the remaining MiG-19s, being replaced with newer MiG-21s and Su-27s.
	MiG-21 Fishbed	Fighter	MiG-21bis MiG-21UM MiG-21PF MiG-21PFM MiG-21MF MiG-21F-13	645	Soviet Union	Retired from service in November 2015. [22] Replaced with Su-22. The MiG-21 fleet has reserved in storage and some frames are still capable of flying. There are plans to turn these retired aircraft into UAVs.
	MiG-19 Farmer	Fighter		~45	Soviet Union
	MiG-17 Fresco	Fighter	MiG17A MiG17P MiG17PF	367	Soviet Union
	MiG-15 Fagot	Fighter / Trainer			Soviet Union
	Su-22	Fighter-bomber	Su-22M	Unknown	Soviet Union
	Northrop F-5	Light ground-attack / Light fighter	F-5A F-5E	191	United States	Captured during Vietnam War.
	Cessna A-37 Dragonfly	Light ground-attack	A-37A A-37B	254	United States	Captured during Vietnam War.

Maritime patrol

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	PZL M28	Maritime patrol	M28B-1R [2]	1 [1]	Poland	Inactive.

Transport

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Antonov An-26	Transport		48	Soviet Union
	Beriev Be-12	Transport		6	Soviet Union	[23]
	Lockheed C-130 Hercules	Transport		7	United States	Captured during Vietnam War. Still serviced after 1975 and retired after 1980
	Fairchild C-119	Transport			United States	Captured during Vietnam War.

Helicopter

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Mil Mi-24	Attack helicopter	Mi-24A	~20-30	Soviet Union	Limited number, small number store in reserve
	Mi-4	Transport		~10	Soviet Union
	Mi-6 Hook	Transport	Mil Mi-6	~15-26	Soviet Union
	CH-47 Chinook	Transport	CH-47A	5	United States	Captured during Vietnam War.
	UH-1 Iroquois	Utility		15	United States	Captured during Vietnam War. Limited service

Trainer

Image	Model	Type	Variant	Quantity	Origin	Notes
	Aero L-29	Trainer			Czechoslovakia

See Also

• Vietnam People's Air Force
• List of equipment of the Vietnam People's Ground Forces
• List of equipment of the Vietnam People's Navy
• Vietnam Coast Guard
• Vietnam People's Public Security

References

1. "World Air Forces 2024". Flight Global. Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
2. "Peace Research Institute". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
3. Trí, Dân (6 November 2024). "Máy bay quân sự Yak-130 rơi tại Bình Định, 2 phi công nhảy dù thoát nạn". Báo điện tử Dân Trí (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 12 December 2024.
4. "United States Expands U.S.-Vietnam Defense Cooperation with Delivery of T-6C Trainer Aircraft". Consulate General of the United States, Ho Chi Minh City . United States Department of State. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024. The handover of five next generation American-made T-6C Trainer Aircraft demonstrates the U.S. commitment to partner with Vietnam as it develops self-reliant defense capabilities in accordance with the U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
5. "COMPACAF Attends Historic T-6C Aircraft Delivery to Vietnam". Pacific Air Forces . United States Air Force. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024. ...with the full complement of 12 T-6C aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2025.
6. Kadidal, Akhi; Narayanan, Prasobh. "Singapore Airshow 2024: Aero set to complete VPAF L-39NG deliveries". Janes.com. Janes Information Services . Retrieved 24 February 2024.
7. Doãn Tuấn (25 March 2023). "Chủ tịch Quốc hội thăm chiến sỹ thi công Sân bay quân sự Phan Thiết | Chính trị | Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)". VietnamPlus (in Vietnamese). Vietnam News Agency . Retrieved 26 September 2023.
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11. Yeo, Mike (6 June 2019). "These US partners in the Asia-Pacific are to receive ScanEagle drones". Defense News. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
12. Egozi2014-09-29T15:15:08+01:00, Arie. "Vietnam acquires unmanned Orbiter 2". Flight Global. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
13. "Russian missiles to guard skies over Vietnam". atimes.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
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18. Trade Registers. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 29 May 2015
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