HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on December 21 called on the nation’s Air Force to modernise its weapons, equipment and personnel.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Hà Nội on December 21 to mark the 73th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam People’s Army, 28 years of the All People Defence Festival and the 45th anniversary of the “Hà Nội-Điện Biên Phủ in the Air” victory, he said personnel was a decisive factor in ensuring national defence, while political reinforcement was the key to enhancing the general quality and combat strength.
He asked the Air Defence-Air Force to firmly maintain the absolute and comprehensive leadership of the Party in all circumstances. The force should complete its air defence plans, while thoroughly studying plots and tricks of the enemy, thus seeking timely response and taking the initiative in all circumstances, he said.
The PM also stressed the need for the Air Force to continue drawing lessons from resistance wars fought by Việt Nam and the world, developing military science and technology with the focus on coping with hi-tech air attacks, and applying achievements of the Fourth Industry Revolution to the building itself.
He also requested the Air Defence-Air Force to ensure aviation safety and prevent accidents. The force needs to foster international integration and enhance the effectiveness of defence diplomacy in line with the Party’s foreign policy, he added.
The Government leader expressed his belief that with the efforts of all officers and soldiers, the force will overcome all difficulties and challenges, thus fulfilling all assigned tasks in national construction and defence.
At the ceremony, the PM recalled the feats of arms of the Air Defence-Air Force over the past years, in particular during the 12-day-and-night “Điện Biên Phủ in the Air” campaign against the American imperialists in Hà Nội, Hải Phòng and some other northern localities from December 18-29, 1972.

Acting together with the army and residents of Hà Nội, the Air Force led the counter attack resistance against the bombing campaign, shooting down 4,181 airplanes, including 34 expensive B52s.
The victory against the largest air attack of the American imperialists in history greatly contributed to creating a new position of strength for the liberation of the south and reunification of the country, he said. — VNS