Textron Aviation Defense has delivered five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System aircraft to the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force (ADAF) at Phan Thiet Airbase. This milestone marks the first delivery under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme between the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the ADAF, showcasing on-time fulfilment of the contract signed in August 2022. The complete fleet of 12 aircraft is expected to arrive by mid-2025.
The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Defense, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., supports Vietnam’s pilot training programme. This delivery also underscores the broader goals of the U.S.-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership, which focuses on fostering a prosperous, open, resilient and peaceful Indo-Pacific region.
Travis Tyler, President and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense LLC, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “It’s an honour to support the United States and its comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam. We also welcome the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force as the 14th nation to place its confidence in the T-6 Texan II and celebrate the arrival of the T-6C at Phan Thiet Airbase.”
The initial USAF FMS contract included three T-6C ITS aircraft, a site survey, ground support equipment, two spare engines, spare parts, life support equipment, external fuel tanks and pylons, technical orders and programme support. Subsequent contract expansions increased the ADAF’s T-6C fleet to 12, further advancing Vietnam’s pilot training capabilities and bolstering U.S.-Vietnam security cooperation.
