Vietnam Air Force to receive first batch of Aero L-39NG jet trainers.

In a recent Facebook post on October 13th, 2023, Viet Defense reported that the Vietnamese Air Force has started flight testing of its newly acquired Aero L-39NG jet aircraft. These aircraft, designed for combat training, are being delivered by the Czech company Aero Vodochody.

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 Aero Vodochody L-39NG jet trainer (Picture source: Aero Vodochody)

The first L-39NG jet intended for Vietnam has been meticulously prepared and is adorned in the distinctive colors of the Vietnamese Air Force, complete with the serial number 2303. This marks a significant milestone in Vietnam's efforts to modernize its air force and enhance its training capabilities.

The acquisition of a squadron of L-39NG combat trainer aircraft for the VPAF was initially announced in February 2021. According to the agreement, the Czechs are set to deliver 12 UBS (Unified Basic/Advanced Training Aircraft) to Vietnam between 2023 and 2024. The original plan was for Hanoi to receive the first aircraft in July. Additionally, the agreement encompasses comprehensive training for both flight and ground personnel, as well as the provision of spare parts and equipment to support training and operational requirements.

Vietnam has a history of collaboration with Czech aircraft manufacturers, dating back to the 1970s and 80s when Hanoi procured aircraft such as the Zlín Z-226, Aero AE 45, and L-39 Albatros from what was then Czechoslovakia. The L-39NG represents the latest iteration of the L-39 Albatros, which first took flight in 1968 and was produced for the Soviet Air Force and Warsaw Pact countries. The new L-39NG boasts several significant upgrades, including a composite wing and the replacement of the Soviet AI-25TL jet engine with the modernized American FJ44-4M engine. It also features advanced avionics from Genesys Aerosystems and a Speel Praha windshield indicator. Over half of the aircraft's components and assemblies have been replaced with newer, state-of-the-art counterparts.

The L-39NG sows impressive performance capabilities with a maximum takeoff weight of 5.8 tons, top speeds reaching up to 775 km/h, and a range of 2,600 km. Equipped with five suspension points for various types of weapons, it can carry a total weight of up to 1.2 tons, further enhancing its versatility.

These new L-39NG trainers are set to play an important role in the VPAF, commissioned under the Regiment 910 of the Air Force Officer's College, Air Defense - Air Force Service of the Vietnam People's Army. They are expected to partially replace the existing L-39C fleet, bolstering Vietnam's aviation training capabilities and contributing to its air force's modernization efforts.