Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Ideas & Inspiration => Scenarios => Topic started by: GTX_Admin on May 24, 2016, 05:17:10 AM
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Given the latest news: US lifts arms ban on Vietnam (http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/us-lifts-arms-ban-on-vietnam/news-story/97d59b8109b47f4c70d0db7e94d20a11) I wonder if we might see some new US origin equipment flying in Vietnamese markings in the future? F-16 anyone?
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How many OH Perry class frigates do they still have available for transfer?
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How many OH Perry class frigates do they still have available for transfer?
I don't think the Oliver Hazard Perry class has enough hitting power that the Vietnamese deem they need my friend.
M.A.D
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Even more interesting to me is the possibility of restoration of some old equipment in Vietnam that remains in storage or limited use due to lack of spares. Still in use are significant numbers of UH-1Hs, M113s, and V-150s, all of which could be upgraded or at least refurbished by US companies who have been unable to officially support them for the past 45 years. It's also possible (but unlikely) that equipment like the CH-47 could be returned to service if they have been stored in decent condition since they were withdrawn.
How interesting might it be if Bell ends up upgrading UH-1Hs to the Huey II configuration? That would be quite the career for those aircraft.
Cheers,
Logan
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Even more interesting to me is the possibility of restoration of some old equipment in Vietnam that remains in storage or limited use due to lack of spares. Still in use are significant numbers of UH-1Hs, M113s, and V-150s, all of which could be upgraded or at least refurbished by US companies who have been unable to officially support them for the past 45 years. It's also possible (but unlikely) that equipment like the CH-47 could be returned to service if they have been stored in decent condition since they were withdrawn.
How interesting might it be if Bell ends up upgrading UH-1Hs to the Huey II configuration? That would be quite the career for those aircraft.
Not at all impossible since they have already had a delegation visiting Bell.
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Very neat. That doesn't surprise me at all.
Cheers,
Logan
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Huey II carrying two Penguin ASM's?
F-5V with BVR capability and helmet-mounted sights?
A-37C with targeting pod and AT missiles?
M113 AIFV?
V-150 upgraded with 90mm turret?
I sense great whiffing - soon to be non-whiffing - potential in this 8)
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I sense great whiffing - soon to be non-whiffing - potential in this 8)
Well, that was the whole point of the announcement - President Obama and the US Govt as a whole have long been concerned with the state of the modelling economy and felt that a major announcement was needed to lift things. ;)
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Folks, most of the ex-US equipment in Vietnam has long since been retired: only the UH-1s are still in service:
Current inventory
Type In service
Combat
Sukhoi Su-22 36
Sukhoi Su-27 37
Sukhoi Su-30MK2 36
Transport
PZL M28 (Maritime patrol) 1
Antonov An-26 30
Antonov An-2 8
CASA C-295 3
Helicopter
Kamov Ka-32 2
Mil Mi-8/17 87
Mil Mi-24 25
Bell UH-1H Iroquois 26
AS350 Écureil 5
SA330 Puma 14
Training
Aero L-39 26
Yak-130 14
Yak-52 36
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_People's_Air_Force#1975.E2.80.93present_.28reunified_Vietnam.29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Vietnam_People's_Air_Force
So if we're being realistic about it, updated F-5s and A-37s are off the table. If I was the VPAF I'd be looking for the following as priority programmes:
1. Replace the Su-22s with something more modern that can carry western air-to-surface weapons. 36 x F-16s to a decent spec would be ideal.
2. Expand the maritime patrol mission, since resource conflicts with China are on the cards. Since they operate Cn-295s already, Cn-235 Persuaders or a maritme version of the -295 would seem the most painless route. If they need serious ASW capability then how about surplus Orions (if there are any) or S-3 Vikings from AMARC?
3. Replace the Yak-52 with a turboprop: Tucano, PC-9, PC-21 or T-6 Texan would be the logical options.
4. A Huey re-build would be good, but I'm not sure it's essential: they could just retire them and consolidate on the Mi-17, which they've already got far more of. A more useful helicopter buy would be new Chinooks and/or western-style gunships such as the AH-1Z or AH-64.
5. Get an AWACS capability. The Embraer-145 AEW&C is the obvious affordable choice, but the Boeing Wedgetail or the Hawkeye might be other options.
Of course, you don't have to be realistic: maybe you could re-write history so that Vietnam fell out with the Russians, didn't get the Su-27/30 and is still operating clapped out F-5s and A-37s.
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Replace the UH-1H's with UH-1Y's and go with AH-1Z's for commonality on the logistics side? Upgrade their existing Hueys to the equivalent of the 412EPI?
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Or just replace the UH-1Hs with Blackhawks.... >:D
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If AMARC is a thing, then the VPAF might also be interested in some spare 'Hogs for a threat scenario they were designed for, stopping numerically superior armoured columns thrusting across the border in case the PRC feels the need to "encourage" Vietnam giving up its claim on the disputed islands (cf. Sino-Vietnamese war). Though, something like Textron AirLand Scorpion could probably operate off some of those very islands...
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How many OH Perry class frigates do they still have available for transfer?
I don't think the Oliver Hazard Perry class has enough hitting power that the Vietnamese deem they need my friend.
In terms of potential naval conflicts, things should initially be straightforward- PRC would use fortifications to delay the attackers whereas ROC seems already resigned to the idea that no military garrison can be enough to outright repulse any serious assault anyway (which can potentially explain why they primarily station coastguard troops on Taiping island), but either way, whatever either potential adversaries' first responders could muster would at best be AA guns and maybe some light anti-tank weapons; the trick for Vietnamese expansion in the South China Sea region is to fight off PLAN's and/or ROCN's subsequent efforts to recover the island(s).
F-16s with AShMs can definitely contribute in overwhelming the air defense of PLAN and/or ROCN retaliation fleet(s); as would additional missile ships, even area air defense assets (to help minimizing the damage that the Vietnamese forces would incur in combat), although yeah, I don't think OH Perry class would offer enough in this field even if they get their Mk.13 launchers back, either, and I don't know if US has anything else available that Vietnam can acquire in quantity.
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Some interesting thoughts here (http://www.businessinsider.com/r-exclusive-vietnam-eyes-western-warplanes-patrol-aircraft-to-counter-china-2015-6/?r=AU&IR=T)
Personally, I think the first sales will be less obvious (e.g. US derived engines in platforms such as the F/A-50). I certainly don't think there will be any desire to revive old stuff such as Hueys etc.
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Just to add to the table I posted earlier, the Vietnamese Coastguard also has the following:
3 x CASA C-212 (+3 more on order)
2 x Sikorsky S-92
and the Vietnamese Navy has the following aircraft:
6 x DHC-6 Twin Otter
8 x Kamov Ka-28
2 x Super Puma
6 x Dauphin
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It looks like P-3s and F-16s may be on the shopping list.
Defense News: Vietnam May Request F-16s, P-3 Orions From US (http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/05/25/vietnam-may-request-f-16s-p-3-orions-us/84904786/)
The P-3s don't really surprise me, but the F-16s sort of do.
Cheers,
Logan
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It looks like P-3s and F-16s may be on the shopping list.
Defense News: Vietnam May Request F-16s, P-3 Orions From US ([url]http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/05/25/vietnam-may-request-f-16s-p-3-orions-us/84904786/[/url])
The P-3s don't really surprise me, but the F-16s sort of do.
Cheers,
Logan
If, as that article suggests, they get the same deal as the Indonesians, that's 2nd-hand F-16s Block 32s from AMARC upgraded to Block 52 standard. They get the airframes for free, but they have to pay for the upgrade. using them to replace the Su-22s would give them an all-modern force that looks pretty good.