Vietnam Builds Indigenous Drone to Defend Its Stake at South China Sea

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Vietnam has unveiled its largest indigenous high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), to protect its stake in the South China Sea. The prototype, completed in November, will undergo a series of test flights over the South China Sea in the summer of 2016, local media reports.

The new UAV, HS-6L, is the result of a joint venture by Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Industry with the Ministry of Public Security.

The prototype has a 22 metre wingspan and is equipped with unspecified optical and radar surveillance systems. The Rotax 914 engine will provide for a range of up to 4,000 kilometres and a flight endurance of up to 35 hours.

The HS-6L is not equipped with weapons systems, but judging from its design features it will be suited for both civilian and military tasks.

Vietnam may have received assistance in design and manufacturing from Belarus, with the unveiling of the drone coinciding with a visit of the chairman of the Belarus Academy of Science.

Vietnam purchased several Grif-K tactical UAVs from Belarus in 2014, and has a strong relationship with the Eastern European republic. The two countries signed a new military pact earlier in the year.

Vietnam previously purchased Orbiter 2 and Orbiter 3 drones from Israeli manufacturer Aeronautics.

Vietnam has been trying to form a domestic UAV industry since at least 2008, testing several possible designs. The HS-6L surpasses them all in capability, and will provide a valuable asset to Vietnam’s efforts to defend its stake in the South China Sea.