PARIS, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Vietnam's marine police have taken delivery of the first of three Airbus Military C212-400 light STOL aircraft.
The C212-400 incorporates the latest systems and technologies, such as a Flight Management System and will be used primarily for maritime patrol role and missions such as coastal surveillance and missions to counter illegal fishing, drug traffic and smuggling.
"We are very proud of the trust placed by the Vietnam marine police in Airbus Military, and look forward to the upcoming entry into service of one of our highly versatile products to help enforce law on the Vietnamese coast," said Rafael Tentor, the Spanish company's head of Light and Medium Programs said.
Airbus said Vietnamese pilots and aircraft maintenance specialists were trained to operate the aircraft at the company's facility in Seville.
The second short takeoff and landing C212-400 will be delivered this year and the third in 2012.
The C212-400 is a turboprop aircraft with a maximum payload of about 2.8 tons and a maximum speed of 195 knots.
Airbus Military is part of the EADS Group.
