VN presents Thailand MIG-21 Bis plane

BANGKOK, July 18 (TNA) - The Vietnamese Air Force has presented its MIG-21 Bis fighter plane to the Royal Thai Air Force, aimed at further strengthening military relations between the two neighbouring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam’s Deputy Chief of Aeronautical Engineering Senior Colonel Vu Hoi An presented the fighter plane to the Royal Thai Air Force at a ceremony held at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok on Friday, presided over by Thai Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Prajin Junthong, who is also a deputy chief of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Senior Colonel Vu said during the presentation ceremony that the fighter plane was used on several occasions during the Vietnam War against the American forces and was able to destroy several US bombers. The Vietnamese Senior Colonel stated that the Vietnamese government wants the Royal Thai Air Force to help display and inform the public how powerful the Vietnamese fighter aircraft was in the past. The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975 after the North Vietnamese forces were able to seize the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon, now named Ho Chi Minh City. The Thai air force chief acknowledged that senior air force officers of the two ASEAN neighbouring countries have exchanged visits to each other country frequently over the past two years and the presentation of the MIG-21 Bis by Vietnam will further strengthen relations between the air forces of the two countries. Assistant Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Air Force Air Vice Marshal Sakpinit Promthep revealed, meanwhile, that the MIG-21 Bis, which played a major role in defending US attacks during the Vietnam War by destroying several powerful F-105, F-4 and B-52 fighter bombers, will be then on public display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in the capital. (TNA)