Vietnamese pilots trained on CASA-295

According to PK-KQ newspaper, in the coming time, Vietnamese transport aircraft pilots will be trained with the new twin-engine aircraft CASA C-295.

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This information was mentioned by Colonel Nguyen Tien Hoc - Head of Training Department (Air Force Officer School) in the article "Innovation of military pilot training programs and processes is necessary".

"According to the plan of the Army and the Ministry of National Defense, the Yak-130 is a modern, 4th generation aircraft and it is compatible with the equipment of the Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft.

Therefore, it is very convenient for pilots after graduating from the Air Force Officer School to transfer to training at the unit on Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft.

Regarding training of transport pilots or helicopter pilots, they also graduate on newer, twin-engine aircraft, expected to be CASA-295, CASA-212 aircraft...", Colonel Nguyen Tien Hoc said.

C-295M aircraft of the Vietnam Air Force.

Before PK-KQ newspaper published this information, Western media reported in early 2016 that Vietnam would purchase additional new C-295 and NC-212i aircraft.

If the information that Vietnam ordered 3 NC-212i aircraft has been confirmed by Vietnam and Airbus Defence & Space through the statistics table of the number of military aircraft ordered, delivered and operated as of December 31, 2015, then our purchase of additional C-295 transport aircraft is quite surprising.

Currently, the Vietnam People's Air Force is equipped with 3 C-295M transport aircraft, transferred under a contract signed in 2013 worth about 100 million USD. As of the end of 2015, all 3 C-295Ms are serving at Brigade 918.

However, with a wide operating range while most of the An-26 aircraft are too old, only 3 C-295Ms are difficult to meet all usage needs. Ordering more C-295s will be the optimal solution to ensure transport capacity and reduce training on the new aircraft.

It is not clear which factory will be responsible for manufacturing the new C-295s, but it is likely to be the assembly line in Seville, Spain - where three C-295Ms were assembled for Vietnam.

The C-295M's Unexpected Mission

Although it is a transport aircraft, Vietnam's C-295M aircraft is facing the opportunity to become a ground attack and anti-submarine aircraft with a series of new equipment. According to information just announced, Airbus Defence & Space Group has signed an agreement with Türkiye's Roketsan on integrating weapons systems developed by this company for the C-295W transport aircraft.

In other words, it is to develop a version for light attack missions on the platform of the C-295 transport aircraft. The signed content will be integrated into the C-295W aircraft including: 70mm CIRIT laser-guided rockets; UMTAS anti-tank missiles and 155kg Mk81 and 270kg Mk82 smart bombs equipped with high-precision guidance.

What is special is that the C-295W is an extended version of the C-295 transport aircraft with flaps at the main wingtips and upgraded engines for better flight performance.

Basically, the C-295W still uses the original airframe of the standard version of the C-295M transport aircraft exported to Vietnam and many other countries. Therefore, if the C-295W is successfully upgraded with guided weapons, it will open up opportunities for Vietnam's C-295 transport aircraft to become light attack aircraft.

In addition, C-295M transport aircraft like Vietnam's can completely become anti-submarine patrol aircraft thanks to the upgrade package implemented by Indonesia's PT Dirgantara Corporation (PTDI). According to ANTARA News, this Indonesian manufacturer is currently producing the CN-295 - a version of the C-295.

The CN-295's missions include military transport, emergency response and medical evacuation, search and rescue, maritime patrol, or even more complex missions such as anti-submarine warfare or electronic reconnaissance.

The CN-295 tactical transport aircraft is equipped with two turboprop engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of nearly 600 km/h, a range of up to 4,600 km, and a ceiling of 9,100 m. The aircraft is capable of carrying 71 people and 2 crew members or more than 9 tons of cargo.

Currently, Vietnam has received three Airbus C-295M transport aircraft and assigned them to the 918th Air Brigade based in Gia Lam, which was previously operating An-26 transport aircraft that were nearing the end of their service life.

Compared to the An-26, the C-295M has nearly double the payload, longer range, short take-off and landing capabilities, and advanced avionics.

The C-295M is powered by a pair of Canadian-made PW127G turboprop engines with six-blade propellers providing similar payload, speed and range as the Indonesian-made CN-295 version.

Clip of C-295M aircraft in the Vietnam Army:

According to Baodatviet