A Dassault Aviation Rafale jet fighter performs during the International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget near Paris on June 23, 2017. (Source: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) - A detachment of combat aircraft of the French Air Force is on a visit to Vietnam from August 26-28, the French Embassy in Vietnam announced at a press conference on August 27 in Hanoi. Speaking at the conference, General Patrich Charaix, Commander of the deployment code-named PEGASE 2018 said the French Air Force organised and coordinated the Mission Pegase in the Indo-Pacific region, with the involvement of three Dassault Rafale fighters, one Airbus A400M strategic airlifter, one Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker, and one Airbus A310 passenger transport aircraft. The French Air Force mobilised 100 personnel for the deployment, he noted. After taking part in the exercise Pitch Black (July 27 - August 17) in Australia, on its return journey to France, this squadron has been making visits to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore … [Read more...] about French air force’s squadron visits Vietnam
Air defence command
Indonesia Air Force to have eight fighter squadrons
Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) will have eight squadrons of fighter jets by 2024, said Air Force Chief of Staff, Marshal Yuyu Sutisna. To face the increasingly complex duties in the future, the TNI AU will continue to develop and improve its strength, Indonesia’s Antara news agency quoted Marshal Yuyu Sutisna as saying at the Air Force Unit Command School (Sekkau) on June 7. The ongoing 20-year plan to develop the TNI AU`s strength between 2005 and 2024 included the building up of eight squadrons of fighter jets, he said, adding that the squadrons will each have 16 fighter jets, with their preparedness averaging 80 percent. The TNI AU will also build six squadrons of light, medium and heavy duty transport planes, each with 16 aircraft, Marshal Yuyu Sutisna said. These squadrons were aimed at supporting the mobility of troops and logistics in trouble spots, he added. When it comes to transport planes, the TNI AU will replace its C-1308s with … [Read more...] about Indonesia Air Force to have eight fighter squadrons
Cyber Command asked to safeguard national sovereignty in cyberspace
With the strong development of science technology and the Internet and the grow-up of the fourth Industrial Revolution, cyberspace is becoming a new “territory” holding important role in each country’s socio-economic development, defence, security and external relations, PM Phuc said at a ceremony in Hanoi on January 8 to announce the Prime Minister’s decision on the establishment of the command. In modern warfare, cyberspace is considered as the fifth combat environment which is connected closely with air, ground, sea and space combat. Therefore, cyber combat plays an important role in wars that use hi-tech weapons, he added. The Government leader requested the Cyber Command to coordinate closely with relevant units such as the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Information and Communications to safeguard the military and defenceinformation system as well as the nation’s important information data. He urged the force to study and apply … [Read more...] about Cyber Command asked to safeguard national sovereignty in cyberspace
Vietnamese, Lao air forces look to closer collaboration
The agreement was reached at a recent working session between the air defence and air force department under the Lao People’s Army and Vietnam’s Air Defence and Air Force High Command in Hanoi on December 26.The Lao delegation head Colonel Phaylat Phymasak, head of the Lao department, told Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army that both sides reviewed the outcomes of collaboration in recent times during the working session. Giang, also Deputy Defence Minister hailed Leaders of the Vietnam Defence Ministry's readiness to offer the best possible optimal conditions for Vietnamese and Laos air defence and air forces to work more closely. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Lao air forces look to closer collaboration
Vietnamese, Lao air forces intensify cooperation
Vietnamese and Lao air defence and air forces will step up delegation exchanges and cooperation in training and technology. Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (R), and Colonel Phaylat Phymasak, head of the air defence and air force department under the Lao People’s Army.The two sides agreed to boost their ties during a working session between the air defence and air force department under the Lao People’s Army and Vietnam’s Air Defence and Air Force High Command.The Lao delegation head Colonel Phaylat Phymasak, head of the Lao department, told Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, in Hanoi on December 26 that the two sides also reviewed outcomes of collaboration in recent times at that working session. Giang, also Deputy Defence Minister, said leaders of the Vietnam Defence Ministry always create optimal conditions for Vietnamese and Laos … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Lao air forces intensify cooperation
Vietnam’s air force marks US Christmas bombing of Hanoi
The air force of Vietnam held a ceremony on December 21 to mark the 45th anniversary of the victory over the US Christmas bombing of Hanoi in 1972, known in Vietnamese as the Dien Bien Phu Victory in the air. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and air force officers The function is attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai.In a celebratory speech, Lt General Le Huy Vinh, commander of the air force, recalled the force’s resounding triumphs during the war against the US, notably the victory against US Operation Linebacker II in December of 1972.During the 12-day operation, Vietnamese soldiers and people fought heroically and shot down 34 B-52 aircraft and other strategic bombers, forcing the US to return to the negotiation table and sign the Paris agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.The victory provided a significant momentum for Vietnam to step up its … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s air force marks US Christmas bombing of Hanoi
Epic Dien Bien Phu in the Air on display to mark 45th year of victory
The exhibition, namely “Ban hung ca Dien Bien Phu tren khong” (Epic Dien Bien Phu in the Air), was opened at the Vietnam Military History Museum on December 18 in an effort to educate military officers and people on the country’s revolution and inspire the love for the country and national pride among them. It includes four sections. The opening section and the section No.1, entitled “The historical confrontation”, showcase a number of photos and objects reflecting strategies and operation plans of the Party and Vietnamese military high command and air forces to defeat the US’s strategic bombing campaign by B-52 aircraft in Hanoi, Hai Phong and other northern provinces. "The epic Dien Bien Phu in the Air" is the theme of the section No.2, demonstrating resilience, ingenuity and braveness of the people and air forces the defend the US bombing, prompting the US to the negotiating table in Paris and finally sign the peace accords to restore peace in … [Read more...] about Epic Dien Bien Phu in the Air on display to mark 45th year of victory
Thang Long Citadel bunker opened to the public
The underground military operation bunker where the Vietnamese government worked during the American War in Thang Long Imperial Citadel has been opened to visitors for the first time.The Thang Long Heritage Conservation Centre opened the bunker and exhibition about the general command headquarters on the occasion of 45th anniversary of victorious air defence of Hanoi during the American bombing raids of Christmas 1972.The bunker was built in early 1965 by military engineers. They demolished the two-storey command building to disguise and cover the bunker. The bunker has three rooms, covering 64 square metres. The roof is 1.5 metres higher than the ground and has three layers to protect officers against falling bombs and rockets. It was supposed to be a shelter even against nuclear or chemical weapons.Decisions issued during the 1972 air battle and supply routes for the south were from the site. The first sirens warning of US air force attacks were approved in the bunker.After 1975, the … [Read more...] about Thang Long Citadel bunker opened to the public
Exhibition reviews Dien Bien Phu in the Air campaign
Hanoi, Hai Phong and their vicinities were heavily bombarded in an aerial raids in December 1972, known in Vietnam as "Dien Bien Phu in the Air” and in the West as the 1972 Christmas bombing. It was the last US military campaign during the war and lasted for 12 days from December 18 to 29. Over 12 days and nights, the Hanoi air defence grids and all across the north of Vietnam shot down 4,181 airplanes, including 34 expensive B52s, referred to as flying fortresses, which had their own radar bomb navigation systems with well-trained crews. Linebacker II was to be a "maximum effort" bombing campaign to "destroy major target complexes in the Hanoi and Hai Phong areas, which could only be accomplished by B-52s”, according to military experts. It saw the largest heavy bomber strikes launched by the US Air Force since the end of World War II. But the people of Hanoi triumphed over the heavy bombardment, although more than 1,600 civilians were killed and three Mic 21 were … [Read more...] about Exhibition reviews Dien Bien Phu in the Air campaign
General staff chief Phan Van Giang greets US Pacific Commander
The Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership has formed the basis to elevate the bilateral defence ties to a new height in a more practical and effective manner, said Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (R), and his guest (Photo: qdnd.vn)He made the statement while holding a reception on December 14 for General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, commander of the US Pacific Air Forces who is on a visit to Vietnam.Giang said the air forces of both sides should enhance exchanges of delegations at all levels and information exchange, and share search and rescue experience.Aerial medicine research, English training for Vietnamese officers, post-war recovery and search for US servicemen missing during wars should be focused as well, he noted.Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, for his part, informed the Vietnamese general … [Read more...] about General staff chief Phan Van Giang greets US Pacific Commander