Attentively, over the past five years, our military has gradually been self-sufficient in researching and producing high-tech weapons and equipment. This achievement carries special significance in celebration of the 12th Congress of the VPA’s Party Organization for the 2025-2030 term.
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UAVs domestically researched, designed, and manufactured by Viettel |
The 2020-2025 period can be seen as a milestone, as defense and security capabilities were elevated to a new height, both in posture and in science-technology power. These results have stemmed from the comprehensive leadership of the Party and the State, with the Ministry of National Defense playing a key role, pro-actively adapting to the rapidly changing regional and global situations.
It can be affirmed that in the reviewed term, the Military Party Organization has fulfilled its advisory role to the Party and State on military and defense matters. It has flexibly and effectively handled situations to avoid being passive for surprise in any situation. In addition, it has promoted its core role in building a whole people defense posture; consolidated strong defensive areas; and closely combined defense and security consolidation with socio-economic and cultural development and foreign affairs.
Over the past five years, the military has made remarkable strides not only in force organization and combat readiness training, but also in step-by-step mastery of various types of high-tech weapons and equipment, a decisive factor to ensure national defense capabilities in the new situation.
Outstanding achievements in weapon and equipment modernization
One of the most significant breakthroughs was the Ministry of National Defense’s announcement of domestic missile research and production capabilities. This is a high-tech field once believed to be beyond Vietnam’s reach, with the assumption that the country could only import missiles from abroad. Mastering missile manufacturing technology and successfully testing various missile systems has demonstrated the creativity and scientific-technical competence of Vietnamese military cadres and engineers.
At the same time, the air defense system has been significantly modernized. Many short- and medium-range air defense complexes have been researched, upgraded, and integrated with modern electronic and control components, enhancing combat effectiveness.
Especially during the grand parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, the entire nation witnessed new weapons and military equipment unveiled by the Ministry of National Defense. For the first time, domestically-researched and manufactured products were widely introduced, from missiles, radars to electronic reconnaissance devices. The image of formations of modern military weapons and equipment passing the grandstand spread nationwide pride and showcased Vietnam’s confident stride towards autonomy in the defense industry.
It can be said that in the 2020-2025 period, the new position of the military has been affirmed. The military has become more confident, more modern, and more pro-active in researching and producing weapons and equipment. This is a vital foundation for the building of a revolutionary, regular, elite, and gradually-modernized VPA.
Military enterprises’ contribution to defense industry development
These achievements have been obtained not only through the comprehensive leadership of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, but also thanks to the pro-active participation of numerous military units and enterprises in modernizing the military. Among them, the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) has made notable contribution in researching, manufacturing, and applying technology to defense.
In the 2020-2025 period, Viettel has directly contributed to strategic science and technology projects at the Ministry of National Defense-level. Several of its developments left a strong mark, such as the Truong Son missile system and the S-125-VT air defense missile system. Both systems have undergone comprehensive upgrades in electronics and control, significantly improving combat effectiveness in the new situation.
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The Truong Son missile system, a “Made by Viettel” product |
Notably, Viettel’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have also stood out, particularly reconnaissance UAVs capable of flying continuously for over four hours, mapping terrain, and monitoring border areas. Viettel has also developed vertical take-off and landing UAVs and loitering munitions, in line with trends in modern warfare. Additionally, domestically produced radars capable of medium-range target detection, along with jamming systems and signal reconnaissance equipment, have ensured reliable communications in complex environments.
Many “Made by Viettel” weapons and equipment made public at the aforementioned grand parade left a strong impression of Vietnam’s growing defense industry power. This was not only a display but also a statement that Viettel has been continuing to be a pillar in the military’s modernization cause.
At a strategic level, Viettel has demonstrated the effectiveness of the model of combining defense consolidation with economic development, leading the civilian telecoms market while developing defense industry. This parallel development has proven highly effective, contributing to a whole people defense posture coupled with sustainable socio-economic development.
In the future, Viettel aims to become the core of the military’s high-tech defense industrial complex; to master technologies and boost production of strategic high-tech weapons and equipment that meet the task requirements of national defense. This strategic path will help Vietnam’s defense industry approach the level of developed nations, realizing the goal of building a self-reliant, resilient, dual-use, and modern defense industry.
Translated by Mai Huong