Vietnam Speeds Up the Purchase of New Transport Aircraft

17 April 2019

C-295W transport aircraft (photo : Kukulkan Avia)

Currently Vietnam's demand for a new generation of light transport aircraft is becoming increasingly urgent.

After more than 30 years of solid service, the time when the An-26 Curl light transport aircraft produced by the Soviet Union was "retired" was close, there is now only one An-26 with the number Brand 267 is still active.

At the time of the 1980s, the Soviet Union handed over to Vietnam an An-26 fleet of up to 50 aircraft to replace "2-generation" mechanical transport including C-130, C-119 ... to stop flying. due to lack of necessary technical parts.

After retirement of An-26, the role of air transport will be put on 3 C-295M with NC-212i, such force is obviously too thin and does not meet the requirements, will need added in the near future.

Targeted to replace the older An-26s is the CASA C295 line built by Airbus Military, after receiving the first three to evaluate the performance, Vietnam is very impressed.

The preparation for the operation of a large fleet of C295 has been carried out by the 918 Air Force Brigade since 2015, through the dispatch of officials to study English as well as specialized technical documents.

Vietnamese People's Air Force delegation visit LIMA 2019 (photo : BaoDatViet)

At the recently concluded International Air and Maritime LIMA Exhibition of 2019 in Malaysia, a high level of Vietnamese military cadres showed interest in the C295W version introduced, according to media reports. Internationally, the contract will probably be signed in the near future.

Because Airbus' production line in Seville, Spain has moved to assemble the latest variant of the C295 transport line, the C295W. So if Vietnam orders in the near future, we will receive this version, not C295M as the first 3 units.

The most recognizable change between C295W and C295M is the curved wings located on the two main wing ends, which help to increase cargo load, save 4% of fuel, make the range farther and operate safely. more in complex hilly terrain.

In addition to the transport version, on the C295 platform, there are also C295MPA anti-submarine patrol aircraft variants, C295AEW aerial early commanding aircraft ... do not exclude the possibility that these family members also joined the Vietnam Air Force in the near future.

(BaoDatViet)