Hanoi (VNA) – Along with researching and manufacturing modern weapons, equipment, and military technology with strategic significance, the Ministry of National Defence’s General Department of Defence Industry must engage in national industrial development strategy and enhance international cooperation, Party General Secretary To Lam requested while attending a ceremony in Hanoi on September 15 to mark the 80th anniversary of the general department’s traditional day.
According to Director of the General Department of Defence Industry Lt. Gen. Ho Quang Tuan, over the past 80 years, the General Department has navigated numerous challenges, fulfilling two primary missions of advancing national defence production and supporting the national economy.
The general department has succeeded in producing civilian goods such as bicycle parts, oil stoves, and industrial components, which helped alleviate shortages and support the national industrial infrastructure, he said.
As the country enters its period of innovation, the general department has quickly adapted to new management frameworks, prioritising scientific and technological progress. In recent years, it has produced over 140 types of weaponry, built nearly 140 ships, and repaired over 380 military vessels, ensuring operational readiness and supporting major national events. In terms of research, it has focused on five critical areas: developing new weapons, modernising equipment, producing technical materials, improving product quality, and applying advanced technologies.
General Secretary Lam recognised the general department for its contributions to industrialisation and modernisation, underlined that it has played a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities. He emphasised that Vietnam’s strength in defence has historically stemmed from its ability to independently develop weapons for national protection. The spirit of innovation in weapon production has become a cherished tradition of the Vietnamese people.
General Secretary Lam praised the department’s 80 years of progress, highlighting its political integrity, loyalty to the revolution, and resilience in contributing to both defence and national economic development.
The Party chief stressed the need for continued development of the national defence industry to meet requirements in the new situation, and urged stronger integration between defence and economic sectors, with a focus on modernising legal and organisational frameworks, advancing research, and innovating new technologies for weapon production.
He also emphasised the importance of developing key technologies such as semiconductors, advanced materials, and specialised components for high-tech military production, as well as the need for international collaboration in the defence sector.
The Party leader concluded by calling for the political loyalty of defence industry personnel, investment in personnel training, and the development of a highly skilled workforce capable of designing and producing advanced, strategic military technologies.
At the ceremony, General Secretary Lam presented the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” to the General Department of Defence Industry in recognition of its outstanding achievements in developing, producing, and modernising high-tech defence equipment, playing a vital role in safeguarding the nation and advancing socialist construction./.
