Vietnam People's Air Force

The Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF), officially known as the Air Defence - Air Force Service, is the aerial warfare branch of the People's Army of Vietnam. Its core strategic doctrine is centered on the territorial air defense of Vietnam and providing air support for ground and naval operations. The force is structured around air divisions, which are composed of air regiments, squadrons, and flights. This organizational structure reflects a command hierarchy designed for the defense of national airspace.

Historically, the VPAF gained significant operational experience during the Vietnam War, the Cambodian-Vietnamese War, and the Sino-Vietnamese War. These conflicts shaped its doctrine and operational art, emphasizing integrated air defense systems and fighter-interceptor tactics.

The VPAF's operational capabilities are impacted by an aging fleet predominantly composed of Soviet-era aircraft. The force operates fighter aircraft like the Su-27 and Su-30, but a considerable portion of its inventory is nearing obsolescence. Recent crashes involving older aircraft have highlighted the urgency of these modernization needs.

Hanoi is actively seeking to modernize its combat aircraft inventory to address this capability gap. It has procured Yak-130 and Czech L-39NG jet trainers, but as of September 2026 no fighter purchase has been officially confirmed by any government involved: a 2025 report of a prospective 24-aircraft US F-16 purchase was never confirmed by Washington or Hanoi and appeared stalled by late 2025, while French and regional defense media have reported advanced but unconfirmed talks over the Rafale alongside a long-standing Russian offer of the Su-57. However, the prospect of integrating Western systems presents substantial logistical and training challenges for an air force built around Russian and Soviet equipment and doctrine.