The Vietnam Aerospace Association (VAA) and the Swedish Unmanned Group has signed an agreement on which Sweden will assist Vietnam to build unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).According to the agreement signed in Hanoi on Nov 20, Unmanned Group will provide equipment and funds for the manufacture and assembly of two UAVs modeled Magic Eye 1 in the first phase, which also includes sharing intellectual property rights and design samples and sending experts to assist Vietnam.In the second phase, the two sides will cooperate in developing aviation electronics such as automatic drive mechanisms and monitoring cameras.In the third phase, Vietnam and Sweden will perfect manufacturing and begin exporting the completed UAVs.The UAVs produced by the Vietnam-Sweden joint project can be used in national defense, security, search and rescue, forest protection and management, geological surveying, agro-forestry and fisheries services, and high-tension wire inspections, said VAA President Nguyen Duc Cuong.Vietnam’s demand for UAV’s utility is huge since the country has more than one million square kilometers of sea, nearly 3,500 km of coastlines, over 4,500 km of land borders, and mountainous regions spanning two-third of the land area, Mr. Cuong added.The technology will support map drawing, transport development, and aerial image capturing, he noted, adding that it will also be used to monitor high-tension wires and to augment border patrols and search and rescue activities.UAV is now manufactured in more than 40 countries worldwide. The revenues for UAVs reach $7 billion yearly and are expected to double in ten years later. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan –People’s Army Nov 4)