US to help Vietnam set up pilot training capability

The United States is to help the Socialist Republic of Vietnam set up a pilot training pipeline, based on the former’s Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) programme.

According to a request for information (RFI) posted on the beta.sam.gov US government procurement website on 17 February, the US Air Force (USAF) seeks to establish a new contract to provide the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force (ADAF)/Vietnam People’s Air Force (Không quan Nhan dan Viet Nam: VPAF) with three trainer aircraft as well as a ‘total package approach’ to operate and sustain, and establish a modern UPT programme.

“This programme will attempt to maximize, to the maximum extent practical, the instructional material, pilot, and maintenance training approaches and simulation devices established by the USAF. The strategic relationship of this programme between the USAF and Vietnam are critical to security assistance and cooperation in the region,” the RFI stated.

As noted in the solicitation, the overall requirement includes the trainer aircraft, a contractor logistics support package (CLS), a minimum 2-year spare parts package, a ground support equipment (GSE) package, and program technical support. Also included in the requirement is one full-fidelity, 360° ‘out-of-the-window’ visual display system simulator, one computer-based training laboratory with 12 student stations, up to three years of on-site CLS for the training devices, familiarisation training for the training devices, up to three years of spares for the training devices, and programme support.