First C-295M of Vietnamese Air Force Condusts Flight Test

This image of the first C-295M transport aircraft of the Vietnamese Air Force during flight test in Spain (photo : Guillermo Granger)

The first transport aircraft  Airbus DS (Airline Group of the European Airbus) CASA C295M built for the Vietnamese Air Force, made the first flight test on Friday 17/10 .

In one image the photographer Guillermo Granger posted on photo sharing sites world-famous aircraft Jetphotos.net shows, the transport body's first C-295M Air Force Vietnam with camouflage paint colors and lines "No military in Vietnam" in the upper body and test number 123 in the rear, made the first test flight at the airport Sevilla San Pablo plant, Spain.

Also in the image is the photographer Granger shared the first C-295M built for the Air Force Vietnam had barely even coating red flag with yellow star on the tail.

Earlier, sang, told Flight Global magazine earlier this past June, the company director Antonio Rodríguez Barberan DS Airbus said that, at that time, aircraft manufacturing facility of the company in San Pablo (West Spanish), is undergoing final assembly for 3 transport aircraft C-295 (one for Ecuador, one for Egypt and the rest of the Vietnam Air Force). There is also a CN-235 is also being made to force the US coast guard.

He officially revealed rangViet Barberan South is one of many new customers have ordered 3 transport aircraft C-295 from Airbus DS.

According to news agency IHS Jane's disclosure, purchase contract 3 aircraft military transport C-295 from Airbus DS was Vietnam signed in 2013 with a total value of about $ 100 million, which includes the provision of spare parts, maintenance and training for the air force. They are expected to be handed over in about 6 months.

It is known that the aircraft have been sold to Vietnam with the basic configuration does not include the additional system comes. IHS Jane's said the C-295 aircraft of the Vietnam first being built in Seville, Spain, although the details of this agreement have not been disclosed.

China’s Submarine Fleet Takes Historic Steps Forward

China’s submarine fleet made its first known trip into the Indian Ocean, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. A Chinese attack submarine passed through the Straits of Malacca between Malaysia and Indonesia with sightings near Sri Lanka and the Persian Gulf.
It’s the latest report of the significant steps forward the Chinese navy has taken in advancing its submarine fleet. Earlier this year, a U.S. Navy report estimated that the Chinese navy has nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines able to launch strikes against the United States from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
The Chinese navy has ambitious plans over the next 15 years to rapidly advance its fleet of surface ships and submarines as well as maritime weapons and sensors, according to a report by the Office of Naval Intelligence.

US eases arms embargo on Vietnam amid China's maritime expansion

HANOI -- The U.S. government on Thursday relaxed an arms embargo on Vietnam, which likely lobbied for the move to boost its naval capabilities as territorial disputes with China heat up.

     No details have been confirmed on the specific weapons Vietnam will acquire from the U.S., but state-owned media here has suggested the P-3 Orion surveillance planes, among other equipment and devices.

     The Chinese navy owns about 10 times as many vessels as its Vietnamese counterpart. For example, China owns almost 70 submarines, while Vietnam counts just two.

     In addition, over 95% of Vietnam's weapons are Russian-made and generally inferior to those manufactured in the U.S. and other Western countries. Many outdated models are still in commission as well, and modernizing equipment had become a pressing issue for its military.

     Vietnam is also concerned that Russia, its biggest arms provider, is pivoting toward China as relations with the West break down over the Ukraine crisis.

     But many note that Vietnam does not yet have the capability to use advanced weapons. It likely plans to first import weaponry related to maritime security and train personnel on highly advanced Western equipment, then branch out to other armaments such as fighter jets and helicopters.

     The U.S. has not exported arms to Vietnam in about 40 years. The partial lifting of the embargo could signal further developments in their relations, which have improved steadily since they normalized ties in 1995. The Southeast Asian country is also a potential ally in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a planned economic framework headed by the U.S.

     Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang had told former U.S. President Bill Clinton in July that easing the embargo would be an important demonstration of mutual trust and the full normalization of bilateral ties.

     Hanoi has also invited U.S. President Barack Obama to visit next year for the 20th anniversary of the bilateral accord, and could be preparing policy measures to attract U.S. investment in the country.

Philippines-France Defense Cooperation Agreement - Easing the Supply of Military Equipment for the AFP

Philippine president Benigno Aquino III's official visit to France from September 17 to 19, 2014, concluded with several discussions and deals with the French government and France-based multinational companies. In relation to defense and security, Aquino was able to push for the signing of an updated Defense Cooperation Agreement between France and the Philippines, as well as meeting with Airbus top officials.

President Aquino meets French president Francois Hollande in Paris.
Photo taken Mr. Christian Hartmann c/o Reuters.


France-Philippines Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA)
The 2 countries already have a previous DCA and the one signed in France this week updates and further strengthen this defense agreement. This paves the way for the the French government to assist the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and for allowing French companies to supply the Philippines with weapons platforms, systems, and defense-related goods and services. This also allows the Philippines to tap French assistance in other defense-related issues like training and education, warship visits and military aircraft stop-overs, and others.

Previously, the Department of National Defense (DND) indicated that a DCA is important in paving the way for defense acquisitions with certain companies and governments where the supplier is based. Such examples of previous DCA signed by the Philippine with other countries are those with Canada, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. This paved the way for the AFP and DND to acquire military assets from the said countries, with the Bell 412 CUH and VIP helicopters from Bell Textron Canada, FA-50 Fighting Eagle jets from Korea Aerospace Industries, and Strategic Sealift Vessels from PT PAL of Indonesia.

RI, South Korea to reach deal on phase II of KFX/ IFX fighter jet

KFX/IFX fighter jet (photo : kjclub)

Indonesia and South Korea are expected to reach an agreement on the second phase of the joint development and production of the KFX/ IFX fighter jet, a step that will mark the epitome of the two countries’ strategic partnership, the South Korean envoy said.

The three phases of developing the KFX/IFX fighter jet are technology development (TD), engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) and joint production and marketing.

The TD phase was concluded in December 2012, which saw a number of engineers from state-owned airframer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and officers from the Indonesian Air Force going to South Korea to discuss a number of development issues with their South Korean counterparts.

Vietnam Welcomes Sixth Twin Otter Seaplane

Sixth Twin Otter seaplane VNT-773 of Vietnamese Navy (photo : Phunu Today)

The sixth Twin Otter seaplane has officially hit the road in Vietnam, is expected to land at Cam Ranh Bay in early October.

Reportedly, sixth seaplane DHC-6 Twin Otter (as well as the final agreement to purchase six planes were Navy Vietnam and firm Viking Air of Canada signed in 2010) brought number MSN 887 VNT-773 (N900VK / C-GVAT) has officially hit the road in Vietnam on the morning of 28/9.

So nearly a week after the graduation ceremony second pilot group of Vietnam Navy in Victoria on 22/9, sixth seaplane DHC-6 Twin Otter take off has done for the country itinerary .

Earlier, speaking at the graduation ceremony on 22/9 pilots Vietnam, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation, Mr. Michael Coughlin said 5 out of 6 Twin Otter from Viking Air 400 order has been transferred to the Vietnamese Navy South. It is expected that the sixth aircraft will arrive in Vietnam base in early October.

Vietnam pilot group of 10 recently graduated from flight training at Pacific Sky on 22/9. They were happy to receive the diploma, behind the sixth Twin Otter seaplane.

Pacific Sky Aviation is a member company of Viking Air, participate in training to take on all the technical staff and pilots Twin Otter floatplane in Vietnam. With the support and teaching of Pacific Sky, in 2013, a first group of 26 Vietnam Navy officer has completed flight training program and a maintenance phase, while the second group of 10 Pilots also completed a flight training program lasted 20 months intensive.

The seaplane pilots Vietnam undergone training in Canada include: 6 months learning English aviation; certification of private pilots transport and trade of Canada; a total of 6,000 hours of flight training; collective response on the water and on a night flying aircraft C172, C182 and DHC-2 Beaver.

The pilots must have 1,000 hours total on the DHC-6 aircraft types, including 650 hours of flight time and 2,100 takeoff - landing on the coastal waters and the lakes in British Columbia.

When on the water, the pilot will also be supported by a pilot training aircraft DHC-6's Pacific Sky and Viking representative in Vietnam.

With a team of 6 Twin Otter, Vietnamese Navy Aviation will soon have a fleet of maritime patrol aircraft modernization, strengthening the protection of the sovereignty of the island nation.

(PhunuToday)