A Sukhoi SU-30 MK2 fighter jet of the Vietnamese Air Force has reportedly gone missing during a training flight along South China Sea coast.

Carrying two pilots, the Russian-built fighter jet was flying between 30km and 40km off the coast of Nghe An province when it lost contact with air traffic control on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Senior lieutenant general Vo Van Tuan was cited by Reuters as saying that the practice flights to be conducted by the same plane model were suspended after the jet went missing.

The Associated Press reported that one of the two pilots on board the missing aircraft was rescued by a fishing boat.

“The practice flights to be conducted by the same plane model were suspended after the jet went missing.”

Major Nguyen Huu Cuong safely came out of the aircraft before it crashed.

The rescue operations are being carried out to find the other pilot, who also ejected from the aircraft, Thanh Nien newspaper reported citing a rescue official.

The air force currently operates 32 Su-30 MK2 aircraft.

In an effort to further strengthen its air force capabilities, Vietnam is in talks with Western and US arms manufacturers to purchase jets, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft.