Vietnam Airlines has signed a contract with ATR to purchase six new ATR 72-500s. With these additional aircraft, and including aircraft already on order, Vietnam’s flag carrier will expand its fleet of ATR 72-500s up to 14 aircraft by 2010.
Vietnam Airlines started operating ATR aircraft in 1992, and booked previous orders for ‘-500 series’ in 2001 and 2007. Once all the 72-500s are delivered, the modernisation of its current ATR fleet, which today counts seven ATR 72-200s and three ATR 72-500s, will be complete.
The airline will take delivery of the 11 ATR 72-500s now on order between 2009 and 2010. The aircraft will be powered by PW127M engines and feature the “Elegance” cabin.
Pham Ngoc Minh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, commented, “Thanks to the substantial growth of Vietnam’s domestic and within-Indochina aviation markets, the demand for aviation transport services from big cities Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh city to such tourist destinations as Nha Trang, Dalat, Phu Quoc, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Luang Prabang is accelerating rapidly. We strongly believe that with today’s purchase deal of six further ATR 72-500s, we will satisfy the increasing demand for services on short-haul routes, thus contribute to the promotion of tourism – investment – trade relations among regions and between Vietnam and its neighbouring Indochina countries.”
Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 974 aircraft (419 ATR 42s and 555 ATR 72s) and has delivered 802 (401 ATR 42s and 401 ATR 72s), leaving a current backlog of 172 aircraft.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Connect with us on socials
