Vietnam People's Air Force

This article is about the current Vietnamese air force. For the air force of the former Republic of Vietnam, see Vietnam Air Force. For Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), see Atrial fibrillation.

Vietnam People's Air Force Không Quân Nhân Dân Việt Nam
File:Vietnam People's Air Force insignia.png
Active	1959 - present
Country	Vietnam (North Vietnam in the past)
Branch	Five branches Aircraft Air Defence missiles Air Defence artillery Radar Surveillance Paratroops
Size	30,000 personnel (2009) 551 active aircraft
Part of	Vietnam People's Army
Colors	Azure, Dark Green
Anniversaries	October 22, 1963
Engagements	First Indochina War Vietnam War Cambodian-Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese War
Decorations
Battle honours	Operation Linebacker Operation Linebacker II The 1975 Spring Offensive
Commanders
Commander	Lieutenant General Phuong Minh Hoa
Political Commissar	Major General Nguyen Van Thanh
Chief of Staff	Major General Nguyen Van Tho
Insignia
Flag of Vietnam People's Air Force
Roundel
Emblem	File:Air Force wings.jpg
Aircraft flown
Attack	Su-22, Mi-24
Fighter	Su-30, Su-27, MiG-21
Patrol	Ka-27, Ka-25
Reconnaissance	M-400, An-30
Trainer	Yak-52, Yak-130, L-39
Transport	An-38, M-28, An-24, UH-1, Mi-8, Mi-17

The Vietnam People's Air Force (Vietnamese: Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam) is the air force of Vietnam. It is the successor of the former North Vietnamese Air Force and the absorbed Republic of Vietnam Air Force following the re-unification of Vietnam in 1975. The Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) is one of three main branches in the Vietnam People's Army which is a part of the Ministry of Defence. The main mission of the VPAF is the defence the Vietnamese airspace and the provision of air cover for operations of the Vietnam People's Army.

History

Beginning-1964 (North Vietnam)

The first aircraft in service for the Vietnamese Armed Forces were two trainers, a de Havilland Tiger Moth and a Morane-Saulnier, which were initially the private property of the emperor Bảo Đại. In 1945, Bảo Đại gave the aircraft to the Vietnamese government. Until 1950, even though the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) had acquired credible offensive capabilities on the ground, it was almost powerless against reconnaissance or attacking operations from the French Expeditionary Air Force. On March 9, 1949, General Vo Nguyen Giap was authorized to establish the Air Force Research Committee (Ban Nghiên cứu Không quân) under the General Staff to study ways to deal with the air war. The first Vietnamese service aircraft flight was made by the Tiger Moth on August 15, 1949. A small-scale training was carried out in the following years.

Further development of aviation in North Vietnam began in 1956, when a number of trainees were sent to the USSR and China for pilot training. They were organized into two groups, for pilots and mechanics, respectively; and among others, utilized the Czechoslovak Zlín Z-226 and Aero Ae-45. The first unit of the VPAF was the No. 919 Transport Regiment (Trung đoàn Không quân Vận tải 919), organized on May 1, 1959, with An-2, Li-2, Il-14 aircraft, followed by the No. 910 Training Regiment (Trung đoàn Không quân 910) with Yak-18 trainers. In 1963 the Air Force and Air Defense Force were merged into the Air and Air Defence Force (Quân chủng Phòng không - Không quân).

1964–74 (North Vietnam)

Anti-aircraft systems of Vietnam People's Air Force against U.S. fighters and bombers in Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II

The first North Vietnamese combat plane was a T-28 Trojan trainer, whose pilot defected from the Royal Lao Air Force; it was utilized from early 1964 by the North Vietnamese as a night fighter. The T-28 was the first North Vietnamese aircraft to shoot down a U.S. aircraft, a C-123, on February 15, 1964.

The North Vietnamese Air Force (NVAF) received its first jet fighter aircraft, the MiG-17 in February 1964, but they were initially stationed at air bases on Mainland China, while their pilots were being trained. On February 3, 1964, the first fighter regiment No. 921 (Trung đoàn Không quân Tiêm kích 921), aka "Red Star squadron", was formed, and on August 6 it arrived from China in North Vietnam with its MiG-17s. On September 7, the No. 923 fighter regiment, aka "Yen The Squadron", led by Lt. Col. Nguyen Phuc Trach, was formed. In May 1965, No. 16 bomber company (Đại đội Không quân Ném bom 16) was formed with Il-28 twin engine bombers. Only one Il-28 sortie was flown in 1972 against Royal Laotian forces.

The MiG-21 N. 4324 of the Vietnam People's Air Force. This fighter aircraft (driven by varios pilots) alone was credited for 14 kills during the Vietnam War

USAF's F-105 Thunderchief bomber was hit and crashed by VPAF's SA-2 missile

The North Vietnamese Air Force's first jet air-to-air engagement with U.S. aircraft was on April 3, 1965. The NVAF claimed the shooting down of two US Navy F-8 Crusader, which was not confirmed by US sources, although they acknowledged having encountered MiGs. Consequently, April 3 became "North Vietnamese Air Force Day". On April 4 the VPAF (NVAF) scored the first confirmed victories to be acknowledged by both sides. The US fighter community was shocked when relatively slow, post-Korean era MiG-17 fighters shot down advanced F-105 Thunderchief fighters-bombers attacking the Thanh Hóa Bridge. The two downed F-105s were carrying their normal heavy bomb load, and were not able to react to their attackers.

In 1965, the NVAF were supplied with supersonic MiG-21s by the USSR which were used for high speed GCI controlled hit and run intercepts against American air strike groups. The MiG-21 tactics became so effective, that by late 1966, an operation was mounted to especially deal with the MiG-21 threat. Led by Colonel Robin Olds on 2 January 1967, Operation Bolo lured MiG-21s into the air, thinking they were intercepting a F-105 strike group, but instead found a sky full of missile armed F-4 Phantom IIs set for aerial combat. The result was a loss of almost half the inventory of MiG-21 interceptors, at a cost of no U.S. losses. The VPAF (NVAF) stood down for additional training after this setback.

Meanwhile, the disappointing performances of US Air Force and US Navy (USN) airmen, even though flying the contemporary advanced aircraft of those times, combined with a legacy of successes from World War II and the Korean War, resulted in a total revamping of aerial combat training for the USN in 1968 (Top Gun school; established 1969). The designs for an entire generation of aircraft, with engineering for optimized daylight air to air combat (dog fighting) against both older, as well as for emerging MiG fighters, were being put to the drawing board. US forces could not consistently track low flying MiGs on radar, and were hampered by restrictive rules of engagement (ROE) which required pilots to visually acquire their targets, nullifying much of the advantage of radar guided missiles, which often proved unreliable when used in combat.

The VPAF (NVAF) was a defensive air arm, with the primary mission of defending North Vietnam, and until the last stages of the war, did not conduct air operations into South Vietnam; nor did the NVAF conduct general offensive actions against enemy naval forces off the coast. However it did conduct limited attacks on the opposing naval vessels, notably damaging the United States destroyer USS Higbee in 1972. In a separate incident, MiG-17s that ventured over water were shot down by surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) fired by U.S. warships.

File:Nguyenvancoc.jpg

President Ho Chi Minh congratulates his highest ranking ace, Captain Nguyen Van Coc, who flew a MiG-21 with the NVAF 921st Fighter Regiment. His 11 confirmed air victories made him the highest scoring ace of the Vietnam War

The first squadron from the 923rd from fight: Luy Huy Chao (6 kills), Le Hai (7 kills), Mai Duc Tai (2 kills), and Hoang Van Ky (5 kills, killed 5 June 1967) in front of their grey MiG-17s. These pilots downed an F-4 Phantom on 24 June 1967 and an F-105 the following day

The VPAF (NVAF) did not engage all US sorties. Most US aircraft were destroyed by SA-2 surface-to-air missiles or anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), and in some cases, even small arms. Typically, VPAF MiGs would not engage unless it was to their advantage. Some of the aerial tactics used were similar to Operation Bolo, which lured the NVAF to the fight.

On March 24, 1967, regiments Nos. 921, 923 and 919 were incorporated into the 371st Air Division "Thăng Long" (Sư đoàn Không quân 371). In 1969, No. 925 fighter regiment was formed, flying the Shenyang J-6 (the Chinese-built MiG-19). In 1972 the fourth fighter regiment, No. 927 "Lam Son", was formed.

VPAF flew their interceptors with superb guidance from ground controllers, who positioned the MiGs in perfect ambush battle stations. The MIGs made fast and devastating attacks against US formations from several directions (usually the MiG-17s performed head-on attacks and the MiG-21s attacked from the rear). After shooting down a few American planes and forcing some of the F-105s to drop their bombs prematurely, the MiGs did not wait for retaliation, but disengaged rapidly. This "guerrilla warfare in the air" proved very successful. In December 1966 the MiG-21 pilots of the 921st FR downed 14 F-105s without any losses.

The U.S Air Force and the U.S. Navy continued to lay down great expectations on the F4 Phantom, assuming that the massive arms, the perfect on-board radar, the highest speed and acceleration properties, coupled with the new tactics will provide "Phantoms" an advantage over the MiGs. But in collisions with lighter VPAF's MiG-21, F-4 began to suffer defeat. From May to December 1966, the U.S. air battles lost 47 aircraft, destroying all of this only 12 enemy's fighters. From April 1965 to November 1968, over North Vietnam was conducted 268 air battles, VPAF claimed shot down 244 U.S. or ARVN's aircraft, and they lost 85 MiGs (including 27 F-4s and 20 MiG-21s).

In the spring and summer of 1972, to illumine the theater of war 360 tactical fighters of the U.S. Air Force and 96 Navy fighter, a great number of which were F4 Phantom of recent modifications, opposed only 71 VPAF's aircraft (including 31 MiG-21) was a militant.

The culmination of the struggle in the air in the spring of 1972 was May 10, when the VPAF's aircraft completed 64 sorties, spending 15 air battles. VPAF claimed 7 F-4s were shot down (U.S confirmed five F4s were lost). Those, in turn, managed to kill two MiG-21s, three MiG-17s and one MiG-19. May 11, two MiG-21, who played the role of "bait", brought the four F-4 to 2-circled at low altitude MiG-21. MiGs quickly stormed the "Phantoms" and 3 missiles shot down two F-4. May 18, Vietnamese aircraft made 26 sorties and spent eight air combat, which cost the 4 F4 Phantom, Vietnamese fighters on that day did not suffer losses. June 13, MiG-21 unit intercepted a group of F-4, the second pair of MiGs made a missile attack and was hit by two F-4 and did not suffer losses.

Over the course of the air war, between 3 April 1965 and 8 January 1973, each side would ultimately claim favorable kill ratios. A total of 1972 between American and Vietnamese planes took 201 air battle. VPAF lost 54 MiGs (including 36 MiG-21s and one MiG-21US) and they claimed 90 U.S aircraft were shot down (including 73 F-4 fighter and two spy RF-4C)

U.S. Navy ace Randy Cunningham believed that he shot down a Mig-17 piloted by the mythical "Nguyen Toon" or "Colonel Tomb" while flying his F4 Phantom. However, no research has been able to identify Col. Tomb's existence; Cunningham most likely downed a flight leader of the 923rd Regiment. Legend states Col. Toon downed 13 US aircraft during his tenure. Many North Vietnamese pilots were not only skilled but unorthodox, as Cunningham found out after making elementary tactical errors. The resulting dogfight became extended. Cunningham climbed steeply, and the MiG pilot surprised Cunningham by climbing as well. Using his Top Gun training, Cunningham finally forced the MiG out ahead of him and destroyed it. In fact, there wasn't any pilot in VPAF named Nguyễn Toon, he was a fictional character of the American pilots and they often made jokes with the dissertation. As a goodwill of the American pilots, Colonel Toon was a combination of good pilots in Vietnam, like the "solo artist" lonely night bombing in World War II was called Washing Machine Charlie.

There were several times during the war that the U.S. bombing restrictions of North Vietnamese Airfields were lifted. Many VPAF (NVAF) aircraft were destroyed on the ground, and those that were not, were withdrawn to a sanctuary in China. In December 1972, the North Vietnamese air defences nearly exhausted their supply of surface-to-air missiles trying to down the high-flying B-52 raids over the North. The North Vietnamese Air Defense Network was degraded by electronic countermeasures (ECM) and other suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) measures. Though the North Vietnamese forces claim over 81 US aircraft as shot down during Operation Linebacker II, (including 34 B-52s, two attributed to the VPAF),, U.S sources acknowledge only 27 aircraft lost by the Americans (including 15 B-52s).

After the negotiated end of American involvement in early 1973, the No. 919 transport air group (Lữ đoàn Không quân vận tải 919), was formed; and equipped with fixed-wing aircraft, as well as helicopters (rotor-wing) in November.

During the 1975 Spring Offensive, the bombing of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, the only airstrike conducted by the VPAF, occurred on April 28, 1975, just two days before the Fall of Saigon. The operation was carried out by the VPAF's Quyet Thang Squadron, using captured A-37s aircraft flown by hero pilot Nguyen Thanh Trung who had bombed the Presidential Palace in Saigon, less than one month earlier before defecting to the north.

During the Vietnam War, NVAF used the MiG-17F, PF (J-5); MiG-19 (J-6), MiG-21F-13, PF, PFM and MF fighters. They claimed to have shot down 266 US aircraft, and US claimed to have shot down or destroyed 204 MiGs aircraft and at least six An-2s, of which 196 were confirmed with solid evidence (100 MiG-17s, 10 MiG-19s and 86 MiG-21s). However, VPAF admits only 154 MiGs were lost through all causes, including 131 in air combat (63 MiG-17s, 8 MiG-19s and 60 MiG-21s)). Like that, total kill ratio would be 1:1.3 to 1:2. With the number of losses to MiGs confirmed by US (121 aircraft shotdown and 7 damaged), the kill ratio turn 1.6:1 against the MiGs, or 1.1:1 even accepting the VPAF's figure of only 131 in air combat. However, this ratio is not inculd the number of ARVN's aircraft were shotdown by VPAF (One source claim 72 ARVN's aircraft were shotdown by VPAF)

1975–present (reunified Vietnam)

Fighter/bomber Su-22M number 5815 belongs to the 923rd Regiment which took part in the first flight to patrolling Spratly islands on February 10, 1988

The VPAF did not play a major role during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975. The only sorties flown were conducted by five captured VNAF A-37s. SA-2s were transported into South Vietnam to counter possible US military air strikes. The US could not bring back their air power during the 1975 offensive, which had proven decisive in 1972, and the VNAF did not have the capability to strike targets in the north nor to defend against the onslaught in the south.

After the end of the Vietnam War (called the American War in Vietnam) in May 1975, more regiments were formed. No. 935 fighter regiment "Đồng Nai" and no. 937 fighter-bomber regiment "Hậu Giang", followed by no. 918 transport regiment "Hong Ha" and no. 917 mixed transport regiment "Đồng Tháp" were created in July 1975. In September 1975, the four newly created regiments were formed into the 370nd Air Division "Lê Lợi" and the 372nd Air Division "Hai Van" was formed, including among others the 925th fighter regiment.

On May 31, 1977, the Vietnam People's Air Force (Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam) was separated from the Air Defense Force (Quân chủng Phòng không).

When South Vietnam was overrun by PAVN forces on 30 April 1975, approximately 877 aircraft were captured by PAVN. Of that number, 41 were F-5s and 95 were A-37s. When Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1979, former VNAF A-37s flew most of the ground support missions. These aircraft were more suited to the role than the MiGs. Former VNAF F-5Es, C-123s, C-130s, and UH-1s were used by the VPAF for many years after the end of the War.

In the years between 1953 and 1991, approximately 700 warplanes, 120 helicopters, and 158 missile complexes have been supplied to North Vietnam by the USSR and PR China (primarily the MiG-19 (J6 series). Even today, three-quarters of Vietnamese weaponry has been made in post-Cold-War Russia.

Today the VPAF is in the midst of modernization. It still operates late model MiG-21s, Su-22s, aircraft of the Cold War era. However, it has recently been modernizing its air force with models of the Su-27-SK air superiority fighter following closer military ties, and an array of arms deals with Russia. To date, Vietnam has ordered and received 12 of these aircraft. In 2004, it also acquired 4 modified variants of the Su-30 MK2V, newer models of the Su-27. In May 2009, they have inked a deal to procure additional 12 aircraft from the Russian to bolster their aging fleet. The Vietnamese air force has also acquired new advanced air defense systems, including two S-300 PMU1 (NATO designation: SA-20) short-to-high altitude SAM batteries in a deal worth $300 million with Russia.

A twin-engine light transport aircraft of the 918th Transport Regiment crashed into a field on the outskirts of the capital Hanoi (Thanh Tri District) on Tuesday morning 8 April 2008 during a training mission, killing five Vietnamese military pilots. The plane took off from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, with five officers aboard for a training exercise. It crashed on its way back to the airport.

Aerial aces

The MiG-17 number 2047 was flown by Nguyen Van Bay on April 19, 1972 and bombed US Navy light cruiser USS Oklahoma City

The MiG-21 number 5121 was flown by Pham Tuan December 26, 1972, during Operation Linebacker II and shot down B-52 Stratofortress

MiG 17 tail showing insignia

In Vietnam War, many Vietnamese pilots had notable achievements, and were honored in as "aces".

Name	Victories	VPAF Aircraft	Regiment	Service
Nguyễn Văn Cốc	Eleven kills (nine aircraft and two UAV)	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1967-69
Mai Văn Cường	Eight kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1966-68
Nguyễn Hồng Nhị	Eight kills	MiG-21	921st/927th Fighter Regiment	1966-72
Phạm Thanh Ngân	Eight kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1967-69
Đặng Ngọc Ngự	Seven kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1966-72
Nguyễn Văn Bảy	Seven kills	MiG-17	923rd Fighter Regiment	1966-72
Lê Hải	Six kills	MiG-17	923rd Fighter Regiment	1967-72
Lê Thanh Đạo	Six kills	MiG-21	927th Fighter Regiment	1971-72
Lưu Huy Chao	Six kills	MiG-17	923rd Fighter Regiment	1966-68
Nguyễn Đăng Kỉnh	Six kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1967-68
Nguyễn Đức Soát	Six kills	MiG-21	921st/927th Fighter Regiment	1969-72
Nguyễn Ngọc Độ	Six kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1967-68
Nguyễn Nhật Chiêu	Six Kills	MiG-17/MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1965-67
Nguyễn Tiến Sâm	Six kills	MiG-21	921st/927th Fighter Regiment	1968-72
Vũ Ngọc Đỉnh	Six kills	MiG-21	921st Fighter Regiment	1966-70
Nguyễn Văn Nghĩa	Five kills	MiG-21	927th Fighter Regiment	1972

About the other pilots, see Safarik's comprehensive list.

Organizational structure

Air Force and Air Defense Divisions

Air Division and Regimental Names of the VPAF Recent base information is from the Vietnamese Wikipedia VPAF article.

Command	Division	Regiment	Name	Equipment	Base
High Command of Air Defense and Air Force	371st Air Force Division (Thăng Long Air Wing)	921st Fighter	Red Star Squadron	Su-22M-4/UM-3K	Noi Bai International Airport
		923rd Fighter-bomber	Yen The Squadron	Su-30MK2	Tho Xuan Airport
		927th Fighter	Lam Son Squadron	Su-30MK2	Kép Air Base
		931st Fighter	Yên Bái Squadron	Su-22M-4/UM-3K	Yên Bái Air Base
		916th Helicopter	Ba Vi Squadron	Mi-6, Mi-8, Mi-24D, Mi-171	Hoa Lac Air Base
		918th Air Transport	Hong Ha Squadron	An-2, An-26, An-30, M-28	Gia Lam Airport
	372nd Air Force Division (Hai Van Air Wing)	929th Fighter-Bomber	Son Tra Squadron	Su-22M4	Da Nang International Airport
		930th Helicopter		Mi-8, Mi-171	Da Nang International Airport
		940th Fighter/Air Training	Tây Sơn Squadron	Su-27SKM/UBK/PU	Phu Cat Airport
	370th Air Force Division (Lê Lợi Air Wing)	937th Fighter-Bomber	Hậu Giang Squadron	Su-22M-4/UM-3K	Thanh Son Air Base
		935th Fighter	Đồng Nai Squadron	Su-30MK2	Bien Hoa Air Base
		917th Mixed Air Transport	Đồng Tháp Squadron	UH-1H, Mi-8, Mi-171	Tan Son Nhat International Airport
	Air Force Officer School	910th Air Training		L-39C	Dong Tac Airport
		920nd Air Training		Yak-52	Cam Ranh International Airport
	361st Air Defense Division (Ha Noi Air Defense Division)	218th SA Artillery	Hoa Lư Regiment	ZSU-23-4, SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-9 Gaskin, SA-13 Gopher, SA-17 Grizzly, SA-20 Gargoyle, SA-22 Greyhound	Ha Noi
		280th SA Artillery	Hong Linh Regiment
		236th SA Missile	Song Da Regiment
		250th SA Missile	Thăng Long Regiment
		257th SA Missile	Red Flag Regiment
		64th SA Missile
	363rd Air Defense Division (Hai Phong Air Defense Division)	240th AA Artillery		ZSU-23-4, SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-9 Gaskin, SA-13 Gopher	Hai Phong
		213th SA Missile
		238th SA Missile	Hạ Long Regiment
		285th SA Missile	Nam Trieu Regiment
	365th Air Defense Division (Bac Thai Air Defense Division)	228th SA Artillery	Ham Rong Regiment	ZSU-23-4, SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-9 Gaskin, SA-13 Gopher, SA-6 Gainful	Bắc Giang
		267th SA Missile	Dien Bien Regiment
		284th SA Missile	Song La Regiment
	375th Air Defense Division (Da Nang Air Defense Division)	224th SA Artillery	To Vinh Dien Regiment	SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-6 Gainful	Da Nang
		275th SA Missile	Soc Son Regiment
		282nd SA Missile	Tam Giang Regiment
	377th Air Defense Division	591st SA Artillery	Truong Son Regiment	SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-6 Gainful, SA-17 Grizzly, SA-22 Greyhound	Cam Ranh
		274th SA Missile	Hung Vuong Regiment
	367th Air Defense Division (HCMC Air Defense Division)	230th SA Artillery	Thong Nhat Regiment	SA-2 Guideline, SA-3 Goa, SA-6 Gainful, SA-20 Gargoyle	Ho Chi Minh city
		261st SA Missile	Thanh Loa Regiment
		263th SA Missile	Quang Trung Regiment
		276th SA Missile
		93rd SA Missile

Bases

Vietnam Fighter Regiments

Some airbases in the south were built by the French, Japanese* (World War II), United States Air Force or United States Navy for South Vietnam. The northern bases were likely built with assistance and/or use by the French, China or Soviet Union during the Vietnam War.

• Kép Airbase (VVKP)
• Bien Hoa Air Base (VVBH/VBH)
• Đồng Hới Airport (VVDH/VDH)
• Hoa Lac Airbase (VVHL/VHL)
• Gia Lam Airbase (VVGL/VGL)
• Anh Son Airfield
• Thanh Son Airbase (VVPR/VPR)
• Thanh Hóa Airbase - reside training school for Vietnam fighter pilot.
• Truong Sa Airfield (VVSA)
• Tan Son Nhut Air Base (VVTS)
• Yên Bái Airbase - (VVYB) training school for Vietnam fighter pilot.
• Cam Ranh Airport (VVCR/CXR) - open for commercial flights in 2005
• Vũng Tàu Airfield (VVVT) operates for offshore helicopter services
• Cần Thơ Airfield - (VVCT/VCA) open and upgrade for logistic support air group.
• Noi Bai International Airport - 921st Fighter Regiment
• Nha Trang Air Base

Air Force Museum

There are two Air Force museums in Vietnam: Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Hanoi and Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Ho Chi Minh City.

Service branches

Aircraft	Air Defense Missiles	Air Defense Artillery	Paratroops	Radar Surveillance
File:Vietnam People's Air Force pilot.jpg	File:Vietnam People's Air Force Missile.jpg	File:Vietnam People's Air Force Anti Aircraft gun.jpg	File:Vietnam People's Air Force Paratroops.jpg	File:Vietnam People's Air Force Radar.jpg

Aircraft inventory

Most of the VPAF's aircraft were supplied from the Soviet Union and PRC, but hundreds were left over by the United States via the Republic of Vietnam, most of which are no longer in service.

Photo	Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Trainer aircraft
	Aero L-39 Albatros	Czechoslovakia	Trainer	L-39C	26	Subsonic jet trainer
	Yakovlev Yak-52	Soviet Union	Trainer	Yak-52	36
Combat aircraft
	Sukhoi Su-30	Russia	Multi-role fighter	Su-30MK2	24	12 more on order
	Sukhoi Su-27	Russia	Air superiority fighter	Su-27SK/UBK	12	Su-27SK: 7 Su-27UBK: 5
	Sukhoi Su-22	Soviet Union	Ground attack	Su-22M3/4, Su-22UM3K	38	In 2014 the Flightglobal reported 38 Su-22 in service
	Mikoyan MiG-21	Soviet Union	Fighter	MiG-21 Bis, MiG-21UM	144	144 aircraft in service in 2014. Reported by Flightglobal.
Transport aircraft
	EADS CASA C-295	Spain	Transport	C-295M		3 on order
	Antonov An-26	Ukraine	Transport	An-26	30
	Antonov An-2	Poland	Light transport	An-2TD	15
	PZL M28 Skytruck	Poland	Light transport	M-28	1	In 2005, Vietnam bought 2 PZL M28-1Rs (M-28B) from Poland.In November 2005, 1 PZl M-28 of VPAF crashed in Gia Lam district, Hanoi. All three crewmembers died.
Helicopter
	Mil Mi-24	Soviet Union	Attack helicopter	Mi-24 "Hind"	25	Retired
	Mil Mi-8	Soviet Union	Transport helicopter	Mil Mi-8	70
	Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport	Mil Mi-17/171	68
	UH-1H Huey	United States	Utility	UH-1H	15
	Eurocopter Dauphin	France	SAR helicopter	SA-365 N2	6	From the Ministry of Defence
	Aérospatiale Super Puma	France	Civilian transport	AS-332L2	8	From the Ministry of Defence. One Super Puma operated by Southern Service Flight Company (SFC) was lost in sea transportation mission for offshore platform in 2007.
Miscellaneous Aircraft
	AV.UAV.SM1	Vietnam	UAV	unknown	unknown
	AV.UAV.S1	Vietnam	UAV	unknown	unknown
	AV.UAV.S2	Vietnam	UAV	unknown	unknown
	AV.UAV.S3	Vietnam	UAV	unknown	unknown
	AV.UAV.S4	Vietnam	UAV	Unknown	unknown
	M-400 UAV	Vietnam	UAV	M400-CT	Currently used for air defenses training purpose.
	VT Patrol	Vietnam	UAV	Unknown.	Tested in 2013, VT Patrol aircraft capable of flying at speeds of 100 to 150 km / h, 50 km distance operations, reconnaissance in full HD camera. The aircraft also operate slopes in inclement weather with temperatures about 10 °C, cloudy., .
	VNS-41	Vietnam	Amphibious	VNS-41	12	Domestic produced light plane type ULM with floatation devices.

Air Defence

Photo	Name	Origin	Type	Versions	No. of launchers	No. of missiles	Notes
Air Defence Missile
	SA-20 Gargoyle (S-300)	Russia	long range SAM system	S-300PMU-2	2 batteries (+4 on order), 12 launchers	75 missile (+150 on order)	Fully upgraded.
	SA-17 Grizzly (Buk-M2E)	Russia	medium range SAM system	Buk-M2E	6 batteries, 36 launchers	200 9M317 missiles	Recently put on active duty.
	SA-22 Greyhound (Pantsir-S1)	Russia	combined short to medium range SAM and AAA weapon system	Pantsir-S1	12 launcher vehicles	300 9M311 Sosna-R missiles
	SA-3 Goa (S-125 Neva/Pechora)	Soviet Union	surface-to-air missile	S-125 Pechora 2TM (modernized version of SA-3)	30+ systems	Unknown
	SA-2 Guideline (S-75 Dvina)	Soviet Union	surface-to-air missile	S-75 Volga 2MV	30+ systems	1000+ missiles
	SA-6 Gainful (2K12 Kub)	Soviet Union	surface-to-air missile	SA-6 MV	10+ systems	1600 missiles
	SA-13 Gopher (Strela-10)	Russia	surface-to-air missile	Strela 10M3MV	20 launchers	200 missiles	Indigenously produced in Vietnam
	SA-7 Grail (Strela-2)	Russia	Man portable surface-to-air missile launcher	Strela 2M	100 launchers	350 missiles
	SA-24 Grinch (Igla)	Russia	Man portable surface-to-air missile launcher	Igla-S	50 launchers	400 missiles	Indigenously produced in Vietnam
Air Defence Artillery
	ZSU-23-4	Soviet Union	SPAAA	ZSU-23-4M	100 systems
	57 mm AZP S-60	Soviet Union	AAA guns	S-60	250
	37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)	Soviet Union	AAA guns	Twin barrel version	260
	ZU-23-2	Soviet Union	AAA guns		2500
	ZPU-4	Soviet Union	AA Machine gun		1300

Missiles

Photo	Name	Origin	Type	Versions	Launch platform	Number of missiles	Notes
	AS-13 Kingbolt	Russia	anti-ship missile	Kh-59MK Kh-59MK2 Kh-59ME	Su-30MK2	280 missiles
	AS-17 Krypton	Russia	anti-ship missile	Kh-31A Kh-31P Kh-31AM Kh-31PD	Su-30MK2 Su-27SKM	80 missiles 100 more on order	delivery in 2012
	AS-14 Kedge	Russia	anti-ship missile	Kh-29T Kh-29TE	Su-30MK2 Su-27SKM	100 missiles
	AA-10 Alamo	Russia	air-to-air missile	R-27ER R-27R R-27ET R-27T	Su-30MK2 Su-27	-
	AA-11 Archer	Russia	air-to-air missile	R-73	Su-30MK2 Su-27	- 250 missiles
	AA-12 Adder	Russia	air-to-air missile	RVV-AE	Su-30MK2 Su-27SKM	-	..
	AS-10 Karen	Russia	anti-ship missile	Kh-25ML Kh-25MP/Kh-25MPU Kh-25MR	Su-22M4
	AS-9 Kyle	Soviet Union	anti-ship missile	Kh-28E	Su-22M4

Retired:

• Czechoslovakia Zlín Z-226 Trener - basic trainer (8)
• Czechoslovakia Aero Ae-45 - trainer (3)
• Czechoslovakia Aero L-29 Delfin - jet trainer (12)
• Soviet Union Lisunov Li-2 Cab - transport (24)
• Soviet Union Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle - medium bomber (16)
• Soviet Union Ilyushin Il-14 Crate - transport (45)
• Soviet Union Ilyushin Il-18 Coot - transport (7)
• Soviet Union Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot - jet fighter (50)
• Soviet Union Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fresco - jet fighter (77)
• Soviet Union Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer - jet fighter (45)
• Soviet Union Sukhoi Su-7 Fitter- fighter-bomber (30)
• Soviet Union Yak-40 Codling - transport (15)
• Poland Mil Mi-2 Hoplite Hoplite - light helicopter (24)
• United States Douglas A-1 Skyraider - prop attack aircraft (21)
• United States Sikorsky CH-34 Choctaw - helicopter (34)
• United States Cessna A-37 Dragonfly - jet attack aircraft (95)
• United States Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter - supersonic light fighter (8 that haven't been auctioned off)
• United States Northrop F-5E Tiger II - supersonic light fighter (1) - Lt. Nguyễn Thành Trung was pilot when he bombed the Republic South Vietnam Presidential Palace on morning of April 5, 1975 then fled to Phước Long airfield where he was received by North Vietnam Forces.
• United States Northrop F-5B Freedom Fighter - supersonic trainer (3)
• United States Douglas C-47 Skytrain - transport & gunship (16)
• United States Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar - medium transport (5) - 1 gunship lost with crews, in battle on April 29, 1975, Captain Trang văn Thắng was pilot
• United States Lockheed C-130 Hercules - medium transport (4)
• United States Boeing CH-47 Chinook - heavy-lift helicopter (23)
• United States Cessna O-1 Bird Dog - army co-operation/light recon (19)
• United States North American T-28 Trojan - basic trainer/light attack (14)
• United States Cessna T-37 Tweet - jet trainer (9)
• United States UH-1 Iroquois - helicopter (42) - except 15 UH-1H still in flight

Some jet fighters (F-5s and A-37s) were auctioned in 1998, and are currently owned by private companies, and individuals in America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

The current procurement plan of the VPAF is to equip up to 3 regiments with 3 x 12 Sukhoi Su-30 "Flanker" until 2015. VPAF already upgraded its air defense system with more effective missile system such as Buk missile system and Pantsir-S1 system. Vietnam may be the third customer to buy the S-400 Triumf missile system around 2017

See also

• Battle of Phou Pha Thi, (Northeastern Laos, 12 January 1968)
• Republic of Vietnam Air Force
• Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Hanoi
• Vietnam People's Air Force Museum, Ho Chi Minh City
• Colonel Nguyen Toon

References

Published Government Documents

• Boyne, Walter J. (May 1997). "Linebacker II". Air Force Magazine. 80 (11).
• Gilster, Herman L. The Air War in Southeast Asia: Case Studies of Selected Campaigns. Maxwell Air Force Base AL: Air University Press, 1993.
• Head, William P. War from Above the Clouds: B-52 Operations During the Second Indochina War and the Effects of the Air War on Theory and Doctrine. Maxwell AFB AL: Air University Press, 2002.
• McCarthy, Brig. Gen. James R. and LtCol. George B. Allison, Linebacker II: A View from the Rock. Maxwell Air Force Base AL: Air University Press, 1979.
• Nalty, Bernard C. Air War Over South Vietnam: 1969–1975. Washington, D.C.: Center of Air Force History, 1995.
• Schlight, John, A War Too Long. Washington, D.C.: Center of Air Force History, 1993.
• Tilford, Earl H. Setup: What the Air Force Did in Vietnam and Why. Maxwell Air Force Base AL: Air University Press, 1991.
• Thompson, Wayne, To Hanoi and Back: The U.S. Air Force and North Vietnam, 1966–1973. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2002.

Secondary Sources

• Asselin, Pierre, A Bitter Peace: Washington, Hanoi and the Making of the Paris Agreement, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2002.
• Ambrose, Stephen E., The Christmas Bombing in Robert Cowley, ed. The Cold War: A Military History, New York: Random House, 2005.
• Casey, Michael, Clark Dougan, Samuel Lipsman, Jack Sweetman, Stephen Weiss, et al., Flags Into Battle. Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1987.
• Dorr, Robert. Boeing's Cold War Warrior: B-52 Stratofortress. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-097-1
• Drendel, Lou, Air War over Southeast Asia: Vol. 3, 1971–1975. Carrollton TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1984.
• Hobson, Chris, "Vietnam Air Losses USAF/NAVY/MARINE, Fixed-wing aircraft losses Southeast Asia 1961–1973. 2001. ISBN 1-8578-1156
• Karnow, Stanley, Vietnam: A History. New York: Viking Books, 1983.
• Lipsman, Samuel, Stephen Weiss, et al., The False Peace: 1972–74. Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1985.
• Littauer, Raphael and Norman Uphoff, The Air War in Indochina. Boston: Beacon Press, 1972.
• McCarthy, Donald J. Jr. MiG Killers: A Chronology of US Air Victories in Vietnam 1965–1973. North Branch, Minnesota: Speciality Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-58007-136-9.
• Morocco, John, Rain of Fire: Air War, 1969–1973. Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1985.
• Pribbenow, Merle L.(trans) Victory in Vietnam: The Official History of the People's Army of Vietnam. University Press of Kansas, 2002. ISBN 0-7006-1175-4
• Zaloga, Steven J. Red SAM: The SA-2 Guideline Anti-Aircraft Missile. Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-84603-062-8

External links

• Vietnamese's Air-to-Air Victories
• Vietnamese Aces
• Vietnam Air Force Museum
• Ace Pilots North Vietnam Aces