'King Cobra' fighter jets snake through Hanoi skies

The Vietnam Air Force used Hanoi's Gia Lam Airport as the base for the drills in preparation for the defense expo set to commence early next month.

The drills lasted from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the participation of several Su-30MK2 fighter jets and Mi helicopters.

Four Su-30 jets fly in formation.

Two Su-30 jets do tumbling exercises in the sky.

The expo will showcase multiple products, connect businesses and hold technical presentations apart from cultural programs.

High above Long Bien District, two jets release special flares designed to tackle heat-seeking missiles. These special flares mess with the targeting systems of missiles and change their trajectories.

A Su-30 jet in an upright position as it performs a tumble, resembling a "King Cobra."

The Su-30MK2 fighter jets, produced by Russia, are multipurpose aircraft that can be used night and day and in all weather conditions.

Their maximum speeds are over 2,100 kph, twice the speed of sound. They are capable of carrying 8 tons of weapons each. One jet equipped with weapons will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

There are usually two pilots in the cockpit.

Mi-171 and Mi-17 helicopters fly in formation.

Casa C-295, a military aircraft, lands on the Gia Lam Airport runway.

The Mi helicopters keep their formation as they land at the airport.

The Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022, hosted by the Ministry of National Defense, is set to be held December 8-12 at the Gia Lam Airport.