The Sukhoi Su-30MK2 number #8585 of Vietnamese Air Force crashed into Sea. A military aircraft went missing during a training session off the coast of the central province of Nghe An at around 8am today.
The fate of the two pilots, Tran Quang Khai and Nguyen Huu Cuong, remain unknown.
Major General Do Minh Tuan, Deputy Commander of Vietnam Air Defense – Air Force, said the Russian-made fighter jet Su-30MK2 was believed to have lost contact with air controllers while out on maneouvres at 7:47am around Đảo Mắt Island, some 40km away from Vinh City.
The Su-30 fighter jet departed from Tho Xuan Military Airport in the central province of Thanh Hoá.
Three vessels and 35 soldiers have been mobilised for the search and rescue operation. Some 20 fishing boats have also joined the search.
The Su-30MK2 multi-role fighter aircraft is an improved version of the Su-30MKK, a member of the Su-30 aircraft family. The multi-role variant offers enhanced combat capabilities against aerial, ground and sea-based targets.
The aircraft was developed by Sukhoi in 2002 and is manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO). The aircraft are operational with Vietnam, Indonesia, Uganda, Venezuela and China.