Vietnam People's Air Force

The Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF), officially known as the Air Defence - Air Force Service, is the aerial warfare branch of the People's Army of Vietnam. Its core strategic doctrine is centered on the territorial air defense of Vietnam and providing air support for ground and naval operations. The force is structured around air divisions, which are composed of air regiments, squadrons, and flights. This organizational structure reflects a command hierarchy designed for the defense of national airspace.

Historically, the VPAF gained significant operational experience during the Vietnam War, the Cambodian-Vietnamese War, and the Sino-Vietnamese War. These conflicts shaped its doctrine and operational art, emphasizing integrated air defense systems and fighter-interceptor tactics.

The VPAF's operational capabilities are impacted by an aging fleet predominantly composed of Soviet-era aircraft. The force operates fighter aircraft like the Su-27 and Su-30, but a considerable portion of its inventory is nearing obsolescence. Recent crashes involving older aircraft have highlighted the urgency of these modernization needs.

Hanoi is actively seeking to modernize its combat aircraft inventory to address this capability gap. It has procured Russian jet trainers, such as the Yak-130, and is evaluating various foreign fighter aircraft. This includes exploring potential acquisitions of Western platforms like the US F-16, Sweden's JAS-39 Gripen, or South Korea's T-50. However, the prospect of integrating Western systems presents substantial logistical and training challenges for an air force built around Russian and Soviet equipment and doctrine.