Indian Defence Review

SU-30MKI

As per a statement made in the Parliament by the Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar on December 12, 2014, the Indian Government has approved the training of combat pilots of the Vietnam Air Force on Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft. By this year end, Vietnam plans to have a modest fleet of around 35 Su-30 MK2 jet fighter aircraft in the Vietnamese Air Force. India is one of the largest operators in the world of the Russian-origin Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft and has developed expertise in operating the advanced jet.

Earlier, pilots of the Malaysian Air Force have also been trained by the Indian Air Force. The Indian Navy will also train personnel of the Vietnamese Navy in handling Russian Kilo-class submarines.