Texan II trainers for Vietnam - part 2

On 30 August 2023, Textron Aviation Defense LLc, Wichita (KS) was awarded a USD 31 million modification to incorporate additional work to a previously awarded contract for the T-6C Programme – Tranche 2.

This modification provides for procurement of support and supply of three T-6C Texan II training aircraft for the Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam (VPAF, Vietnam People's Air Force). The first tranche also included an order for three aircraft.

Early June 2021, the US agreed to sell a yet unknown number of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. According to information from Brigadier General Sarah Russ, US Pacific Air Force (PACAF), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, who visited the Vietnam International Defense Expo in December last year, the US will supply twelve Texan II trainers during the 2024-2027 period.

The first three aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of 2024, the next two or three by the end of 2024, and the remainder by 2027. The Texan II will replace the VPAF's ageing Yakovlev Yak-52 primary training aircraft.

Credit photo (T-6C just illustrative): Andy Cline (Scramble Archive)