Vietnam's Su-27s mount first Spratly patrols from Phu Cat

Vietnam People's Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker. Photo credit: unknown

Vietnamese news portal Thanh Nien Online has reported that Vietnam People's Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 'Flankers' have mounted their first patrols of the disputed Spratly Islands (Link is in Vietnamese) from their base at Phu Cat.

The Su-27s, from the 940th Air Regiment of the 372 Air Division, undertook at patrol of some of the islands claimed by Vietnam at an altitude of 500m (1640 ft), accompanied by an Antonov An-26 of the 918th Transport Regiment.

The disputed Spratly Islands, believed to be rich in oil and other resources, are wholly or partly claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei.