Vietnam People's Air Force
The Vietnam Air Force (VAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Vietnamese People's Army. Established on March 9, 1959, the VAF played a crucial role during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) by supporting ground forces and conducting airstrikes against enemy positions. Its primary objectives included air superiority, interdiction of enemy supply routes, close air support, and reconnaissance. The VAF operated various aircraft, including MiG-17, MiG-19, MiG-21, and MiG-23 fighter jets, as well as helicopters such as the UH-1 Iroquois and Mi-8 Hip. During the war, the VAF successfully engaged enemy forces and defended North Vietnam from aerial attacks. Post-war, the VAF focused on rebuilding its capabilities, acquiring newer aircraft models, and training its personnel. Today, the VAF is a modernized force with a diverse fleet that includes Sukhoi Su-30 and Su-27 fighter aircraft, as well as transport planes such as the An-26 Curl and C-130 Hercules. The VAF continues to prioritize defense and maintains its readiness to protect Vietnamese airspace.
Key facts
| Official Name | Vietnam People's Air Force |
| Local Name | Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam |
| Country | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
| World rank | #45 |
| Active aircrafts | 223 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 18 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 99 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 75 | |
| Training | 36 | |
| Transport | 9 | |
| Special missions | 4 | |
Aircrafts most used by Vietnamese air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8 Hip | 87 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Su-27 Flanker | 46 | Soviet-originated multirole fighter, distinguished for deployments during the Cold War, globally utilized in air superiority missions. | |
| Su-17 Fitter | 34 | Soviet-era fighter-bomber, extensively deployed in varied conflicts worldwide, known for its variable-sweep wing design and robust operational capacity. | |
| L-39 Albatros | 25 | Czech training jet, operational since the Cold War, deployed worldwide for various military aviation roles. | |
| Ka-27 Helix | 10 | Soviet maritime helicopter, primarily deployed for anti-submarine warfare and rescue operations during the Cold War era. | |
| DHC-6 Twin Otter | 6 | Canadian utility aircraft, vital in civil and military operations worldwide since the 1960s, famous for its STOL capabilities. | |
| Yak-130 Mitten | 6 | Russian advanced trainer and combat aircraft, widely deployed in various countries and known for its aerobatic capabilities. | |
| C-212 Aviocar | 3 | Spanish light transport plane, renowned for its versatility, extensively used for surveillance, rescue, and paratrooping missions since the 1970s. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 3 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| H225M / EC725 Caracal | 2 | European long-range tactical transport military helicopter, featuring advanced avionics and systems, used for roles including troop transport and special operations. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Vietnamese Navy
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Ka-28 | 8 | |
| H225M | 2 | ||
| Special missions | DHC-6 Guardian 400 (MPA) | 3 | |
| Transport | DHC-6 Guardian 400 | 3 |
Vietnamese People's Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | Su-27/30 | 41 | |
| Su-22 | 34 | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-8/17 | 87 | |
| Ka-32 | 2 | ||
| Special missions | An-28/M28 (MPA) | 1 | |
| Training | L-39/NG | 25 | 12 |
| Yak-130 | 6 | 6 | |
| Su-27 | 5 | ||
| Transport | NC212i | 3 | |
| C295 | 3 |