Vietnam orders 12 L-39NG jet trainers
The Vietnam Ministry of Defence has signed an order with management company OMNIPOL to buy a fleet of 12 L-39NG jet trainers made by manufacturer Aero Vodochody Aerospace.
In a 15 February post on Twitter, OMNIPOL did not disclose the value of the contract but confirmed that aircraft deliveries will begin between 2023-2024.
Alongside pilot training the contract includes supply of spare parts, equipment for ground based training and logistics support.
The L-39NG has been developed from the older L-39 Albatross and received a military type certification in September 2020.
It has been designed to support light attack and reconnaissance missions, with features including four underwing pylons and an under-fuselage pylon for rockets and external fuel tanks.
The trainer is also under order from the Czech Republic, Portugal, Senegal and the US, according to Shephard's Defence Insight.
More from Defence Notes
-
How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.