US Approves Possible Vietnam C-130 Sustainment Deal

THE US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Vietnam for C-130 Sustainment services and related equipment for an estimated total cost of US$100 million.

A State Department release stated, “The Government of Vietnam has requested to buy engine propellers; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; ground handling equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; unclassified software; unclassified publications; studies and surveys; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.”

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US by modernising the air and transport capabilities of an Indo-Pacific partner. The proposed sale will also improve Vietnam’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring the operational readiness of its C-130 aircraft fleet. The aircraft provides strategic airlift capabilities that directly support US and coalition operations around the world. Vietnam will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces”, it continued

It was added that the proposed sale and support would not alter the basic military balance in the region. Meanwhile, the principal contractor of the deal is to be RTX Corporation without any adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of the proposed sale.

The American C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin had been rumoured to be a subject of interest for the Vietnam government since around the end of 2024. Vietnam had reportedly sought to move away from their longstanding reliance on materiel of Russian origin. Aside from the possible C-130J sale, it was also reported that other American made aircraft were among those discussed between the US and Vietnam last November during Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s meeting with Vietnam’s defence minister in Malaysia and the Secretary’s subsequent visit to Vietnam immediately after.

Furthermore, other aircraft of Western origin were also said to be in the mix for Vietnam’s heavylifting capabilities, including Airbus’ A400M and Embraer’s C-390 Millenium.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:ADJ)