AACC is an annual meeting, which was held for the first time in 2010 when Vietnam was the Chair of ASEAN. The meeting hosted in rotation by the air forces of ASEAN countries serves as a venue for air force chiefs of ASEAN countries to meet, exchange information, and discuss issues of common concern with the aim of strengthening ASEAN air force relations and cooperation, building confidence, and promoting mutual understanding. Major cooperation contents of the meeting focus on improving the air force’s capabilities to prevent and fight terrorism, conducting natural disaster relief and search and rescue, and developing prosperity and the bloc’s common interests.
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A joint photo of a leader of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and ASEAN air chiefs at the 7th AACC in Hanoi in 2010. |
At the first edition in 2010, the host of Vietnam suggested that the rotational host of AACC should also hold an ASEAN young air force officers’ exchange. Vietnam’s initiative was agreed upon by air force chiefs of ASEAN countries. Since then, an ASEAN young air force officers’ exchange has been held alongside AACC, contributing to cementing unity and strengthening friendships among ASEAN air forces.
As the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has already drawn up a plan to hold the 17th AACC. Under the initial plan, the 17th AACC would be held in September 2020 in the Vietnamese central city of Da Nang. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the host has changed the plan and is holding the 17th AACC virtually after consulting other ASEAN member countries. The organization of the virtual 17th AACC has demonstrated the creativity, responsiveness, responsibility and resolve of Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries to promote ASEAN air force relations and cooperation despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the agenda for the 17th AACC, delegates are expected to discuss situations in the region and world, and propose cooperation contents and measures to boost ASEAN air force relations and cooperation in the time to come. At the same time, the 17th AACC will also review and assess multilateral exercises on humanitarian aid and disaster relief in order to complete a set of regulations on humanitarian aid and disaster relief for the air forces of the ASEAN countries.
It can be said that the AACC mechanism has contributed to expanding and deepening relations and cooperation among/between air forces of ASEAN countries as well as to building air force capabilities of ASEAN countries.
In fact, air forces of ASEAN countries have become more active and proactive in promoting relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral terms.
In multilateral terms, the ASEAN air forces have set up a hotline connecting the headquarters of all ASEAN countries’ air forces, launched a common website to update information about developments of the air force of each ASEAN member country, and held the first meeting of ASEAN countries’ air forces on flight safety. The ASEAN countries’ air forces are also drafting a set of regulations on humanitarian aid and disaster relief and will hold the first humanitarian aid and disaster relief drill on the basis of the draft regulations for ASEAN air forces in Thailand in 2021.
At the 17th AACC, the host is expected to underline the need to bolster relations and cooperation among ASEAN countries’ air forces amid increased tensions in regional hotspots, complicated developments of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and the unpredictable context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, delegates from ASEAN countries’ air forces are expected to discuss approaches and solutions to address regional challenges.
As the host of the event, the Air Defense and Air Force under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has carefully prepared the agenda and contents for the 17th AACC. With the host’s careful preparations and responsibility, along with its active participation and contributions, the 17th AACC will surely be a success.
Written by Air Defense-Air Force Acting Commander Major General Vu Van Kha
Translated by Thu Nguyen