Two Vietnamese Air Force pilots are missing after they ejected from a Russian-made Yak-130 light combat training aircraft that crashed on Wednesday morning in Binh Dinh province, according to a statement from Vietnam’s Ministry of Defence.
Vietnam Air Force is currently coordinating the search for the missing pilots of the Russian-made Yak-130, which can operate in combat missions with medium-range reconnaissance and attack capabilities, according to the report.
The accident happened when the pilots were trying to land in difficult weather conditions, the ministry said.”The landing gear could not be released and emergency measures taken by the pilots were not successful”.
The ministry added the pilots were able to parachute from the plane.
The air force is coordinating search-and-rescue activities on both air and on the ground, it said.
Vietnam relies heavily on Russia for its military products and it is seeking to diversify its equipment and arms suppliers.
