Technicians maintaining Vietnam’s fighter jets regarded as ‘national assets’

Operating under the Air Defense–Air Force Service of the Vietnam People’s Army, Factory A32, located in Da Nang City in the central region, has built up tens of thousands of pages of technical documents and repair procedures for fighter jets over 60 years of operation.

However, its most valuable asset is its people, many seasoned aviation experts who, despite senior ranks, work daily as hands-on technicians.

On the factory floor, rank fades into the background as personnel focus on the meticulous work required to keep Vietnam’s fighter fleet operational.

Skills forged over decades on workshop floor

Holding a handful of rivets, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Dung, head of the aircraft structures team, explains that even such small components play a critical role in flight safety.

Aircraft rivets are specially engineered fasteners used to secure the aircraft’s structural frame and support onboard systems.

From the outside, they appear in dense, evenly spaced rows across the aircraft’s surface, but each one is precisely manufactured and installed according to strict aviation requirements.

Though small, they are essential to structural integrity and the precise alignment of onboard systems.

A minor mistake in installation can have serious consequences, making absolute precision essential. This level of discipline defines technicians at A32.

Dung says technicians undergo rigorous training and accumulate thousands of hours of hands-on experience, starting with basic tasks such as cleaning before progressing to more complex technical work.

Vietnam’s tropical climate and demanding flight operations accelerate wear and corrosion, making regular inspections essential.

Minor issues are handled on-site, while more serious cases are sent to A32 for overhaul and life extension.

To support operational readiness, the factory also deploys mobile repair teams to air force units for on-site maintenance.

When aircraft arrive at the factory, technicians conduct thorough inspections using both modern equipment and hands-on methods.

They tap along aircraft surfaces, listen for subtle changes in sound, and use handheld lights to examine joints and internal frames.

Only experienced technicians can detect irregularities that machines might miss.

Building workforce of ‘national assets’

As Vietnam’s only facility capable of overhauling and extending the service life of fighter aircraft, Factory A32 plays a critical role in the country’s air defense system.

The factory’s recruitment standards are high, with candidates drawn from both military and civilian technical institutions.

In recent years, A32 has also sought to attract talented graduates nationwide, offering structured training and long-term career development within the defense workforce.

On-the-job mentorship remains central to training, with experienced technicians directly guiding younger staff on the workshop floor and passing on practical knowledge built over decades.

Dung says veteran technicians can often identify issues at a glance, but such expertise must be continuously transferred to ensure long-term capability.

Younger technicians, he adds, are highly motivated and quick to learn, often mastering tasks faster than previous generations thanks to close mentorship and constant hands-on practice.

Captain Vo Ta Hoang, deputy manager of Workshop No. 1, says the workshop has 48 personnel divided into eight teams handling tasks ranging from disassembly to specialized cleaning.

Even cleaning requires strict technical precision to avoid damaging sensitive components.

It is the exceptional level of precision and accumulated experience of A32’s technicians that makes them widely regarded as ‘national assets.'

Capability proven through successful aircraft repairs

The capabilities of A32’s technicians are most clearly demonstrated in complex repair operations under pressure.

In 2019, a Su-22 fighter jet suffered a landing gear failure in Yen Bai, leading to a runway overrun and severe damage, though the pilot ejected safely.

A team of 15 technicians from A32 was dispatched to the site.

Working for 100 days under difficult conditions and with limited materials, they restored the aircraft piece by piece despite severe structural damage and shortages of spare parts.

The aircraft later returned to active service.

Another major case occurred in 2020 at Phu Cat Airport, when a Su-27UBK was heavily damaged with key components severely deformed, posing a major technical challenge.

The airport is located in what was formerly Binh Dinh Province, now part of Gia Lai Province following a national administrative restructuring effective July 1, 2025.

Under orders to restore the aircraft, A32 technicians worked around the clock for about six weeks.

Their efforts paid off when the jet successfully returned to flight, marking a remarkable recovery.

These operations underscore the depth of skill and experience that defines A32’s technicians, whose work remains a quiet but essential pillar of Vietnam’s air defense capability.