The First Twin Otter of The Vietnam People's Navy

Jan 17, 2013- The first of six Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter has been delivered to the naval aviation branch of the Vietnam People’s Navy on November 9, 2012. The Twin Otters will be used by the Navy to conduct maritime patrol as well as SAR operation along its maritime waters.

The new generation Twin Otter is the first western made aircraft ever operated by its naval aviation unit. Beside the Twin Otter, the small naval aviation unit operates two French made Eurocopter EC-225 Super Puma Mk II helicopters which will bear the responsibility of protecting the country’s sovereignty over the sea, islands, continent shelf and exclusive economic zone as well as conducting SAR missions.

With the induction of the aircraft into the Vietnamese Navy’s service, airborne maritime patrol over Vietnam’s territories in the South China Sea will be conducted by a mix of Airbus Military C-212-400MPA Aviocar operated by the Vietnamese Marine Police as well as the Navy’s DHC-6-400 Twin Otter.

C212-400MPA Aviocar operated by the Vietnamese Marine Police who assumed the coast guard functions

Airborne maritime patrol role was previously fall under the responsibility of the VPAF. In 1981, 4 Russian made Beriev Be-12 Chayka (NATO reporting name: Mail) amphibians had been procured for such purposes. Nevertheless, they were thought to be withdrawn from service due to their age.

VPAF Be-12 crew after their flight sortie over the Spratlys

Malaysia Flying Herald