Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the Air Defence – Air Force (ADAF) to enhance its strategic mindset, bolster combat readiness, and safeguard the Fatherland from early and afar, stressing the need to remain a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern force capable of fulfilling all missions under any circumstance.
He made the call while attending the ADAF’s ceremony in Hanoi on October 21 to receive the “Hero of the People's Armed Forces” title and mark the force’s traditional day (October 22, 1963-2025).
Delivering his remarks at the ceremony, PM Chinh expressed deep gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, fallen heroes, and generations of officers and soldiers of the ADAF, whose courage and sacrifices have safeguarded national independence and the people’s peace and happiness.
He underscored that the ADAF, one of the three main forces of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army, has made outstanding contributions to the nation’s revolutionary cause and defence.
Throughout 62 years of development, the force has written the golden pages of Vietnamese courage and intelligence, with historic achievements that help transform the course of the nation’s revolution, he said, laying stress on the force's milestones, particularly the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air" victory that reversed the war situation and forced the US to return to the negotiating table, sign the Paris Peace Accords, and withdraw from Vietnam. He instructed the force to follow the principle of “Three No’s”, no complacency or negligence, no self-satisfaction with past victories, and no fear of any enemy.
The Government leader urged the force to build a strong and exemplary Party organisation, enhance the leadership capacity and combat strength of Party bodies and members, maintain unity within the Party organisation and the force. Besides, the force was asked to develop human resources and promote traditional values in turning itself into an elite and modern unit.
PM Chinh emphasised the significance of strict airspace monitoring and control over both civilian and military flights to ensure national security, especially for key political, economic, and defence areas. He directed the force to develop a project on sustainable air defence dome to guarantee air safety for economic, tourism, and international activities.
The force must embrace scientific and technological breakthroughs, and develop defence industry capabilities, particularly in mastering and producing modern, high-tech weaponry, applying AI and digital systems in both management and operations, he underscored, urging the ADAF to actively engage in national aviation industry development, technology transfer, disaster relief, and international cooperation.
He expressed his confidence that the force’s staff will continue the traditions of the Vietnam People’s Army, which are loyalty to the Party, devotion to the people, readiness to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and socialism.
On behalf of the Party and State, PM Chinh presented the “Hero of the People's Armed Forces” title to the force.
With its exceptional achievements, the ADAF has received numerous prestigious awards from the Party and State, with 147 collectives and 150 individuals receiving the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces or Hero of Labour, and thousands decorated with various orders and medals. President Ho Chi Minh himself visited the force 17 times during his lifetime./.
