Vietnam establishes seaplane squadron

Vietnamese Navy held a ceremony to announce the decision of forming a DHC-6 seaplane squadron.
The establishment of the DHC-6 seaplane squadron, along with the EC-225 helicopter squadron, the Navy's first squadron formed on Dec. 25, 2011, are steps to building up the modern regular Navy and fulfilling the task of safeguarding Vietnam's sovereignty over territorial waters and islands.
Viking Air aircraft manufacturer and its subsidiary Pacific Aviation held a graduation ceremony for 8 Vietnamese pilots mastering DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400, also known as the Guardian 400, in Canada on July 10.
In May 2010, Vietnam's Navy signed with Viking Air a contract on buying six Guardian 400s. The seaplanes is fully-equipped for transport, maritime patrol and surveillance, resupply, search and rescue purposes.
Of the total, three are specially equipped for maritime patrol and coastal surveillance.
globaltimes