Russia predicts the number of T-50 fighters Vietnam will buy

According to the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (TSAMTO), the Vietnam Air Force will buy about 12-24 T-50 stealth fighters from Russia.

Buy earlier than planned

"According to the forecast of our Center's experts, within the framework of the PAK FA future tactical aircraft system program, Russia will produce no less than 1,000 of these fighters, of which the expected order of the Russian Air Force in the period 2020-2040 is 200-250 units," said Igor Korotchenko, Director of TSAMTO.

According to TSAMTO's forecast, the Vietnam Air Force will purchase about 12-24 PAK FA T-50s in the period 2030-2035. The center believes that the potential export order volume of PAK FAs, including India, could be 548-686 units.

Depending on the developments in the international situation and the emergence of new hotspots of tension in regions around the world, the deadline, supply volume and geographical scope of buyers may change, Mr. Korotchenko commented.

PAK FA T-50 fighter.

Although Sukhoi's PAK FA will enter the world market later than the US F-35, this delay will be compensated by the Russian aircraft's higher technical and tactical characteristics.

Although Russia has predicted that Vietnam will buy PAK FA fighters in the period of 2030-2035, according to Defense News, the time to buy this stealth fighter with Vietnam may be earlier than planned (around 2020).

According to this source, because it has purchased a large number of 4th generation Su-30 fighters, Vietnam may buy 5th generation PAK FA fighters from Russia in the early 2020s. In addition, Vietnam may purchase more 4++ generation Su-35 fighters to enhance its combat capabilities.

Not yet

Although Russian and Western media have repeatedly published speculations about Vietnam's plans to purchase the state-of-the-art PAK FA fighter jet, up to now, there has been no official information indicating that we have such a purchase plan.

In addition, although it has affirmed that it will prioritize close customers such as Vietnam and some other countries, Russia cannot sell PAK FA fighters to these partners in the near future because this aircraft is not yet on the list of weapons allowed to be exported by Russia.

In an interview with TASS on the sidelines of a recent defense event, head of the Rosoboronexport delegation Sery Kornev said that the PAK FA stealth fighter will not be supplied to foreign customers in the near future.

“At the moment, the PAK FA aircraft are not on the export list,” Kornev said, adding: “We have no right to promote this product or disclose its parameters until a legal decision is made to include the Su PAK FA on the export list.”

The PAK FA stealth fighter model brought by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) at the Le Bourget exhibition (France) only proves Russia's capabilities and advanced technology.

The aircraft will begin to be promoted as soon as it appears in the export military product catalog. According to Kornev, this may happen not necessarily after the PAK FA is allowed to be used on Russian territory.

Previously, officials of the Sukhoi company (Russia) announced that the company wanted to market the Sukhoi Su-35 and Su PAK FA models to Southeast Asian customers including Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Sukhoi currently has three main customers in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. All of them are potential customers of the two modern fighter models Su-35 Super Flanker and Sukhoi PAK FA," said Mr. Tyukhanov - Marketing Director of Sukhoi fighter aircraft manufacturing company.

According to Baodatviet