General Secretary: Building a team of leading scientists to manufacture modern weapons
General Secretary To Lam requested to build a team of leading technical staff and scientists capable of mastering high technology to research, design, and manufacture modern weapons of strategic significance...
On the morning of September 15, the General Department of Industry (Ministry of National Defense) held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its traditional day (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2025) and receive the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (for the second time). General Secretary To Lam, Secretary of the Central Military Commission attended and delivered a speech at the ceremony.
Lieutenant General Ho Quang Tuan, Head of the General Department of Defense Industry, said that on September 15, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh and the Party Central Committee issued a decree to establish the Military Armament Department, under the Ministry of National Defense (the predecessor of the General Department of Defense Industry).
The General Department of Defense Industry has actively overcome difficulties and challenges, carrying out two strategic tasks: Developing defense production and participating in production to build the country's economy.
Entering the period of innovation, the General Department of Defense Industry has quickly transformed its management mechanism, determined a roadmap and appropriate steps; attached importance to the development of human resources, science and technology resources, and mobilized the maximum achievements of the national industry to serve the defense industry.
The General Department also focuses on key investments in key products with advanced and modern technology; increases dual-use in development investment; and closely combines defense production with the economy.
In the last 5 years alone, the officers, soldiers and workers of the General Department have successfully completed the production orders for more than 140 types of army weapons and military weapons; built nearly 140 new ships and repaired over 380 military ships of all types...
In the field of scientific research, overcoming the particularly difficult conditions in accessing documents on weapons production technology design, the General Department has focused on making breakthroughs in 5 main directions: developing new technical weapons and equipment; repairing and modernizing technical weapons and equipment; producing technical materials; improving product quality; applying new technology, modernizing production lines...
Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam said that in the thousands of years of history of building and defending the country, the ability to research and manufacture weapons to protect the country, fight and defeat all invaders is one of the important factors that create the strength of the army, helping the army to achieve glorious feats.
The spirit of creativity and talent in making weapons to fight and save the country has become a precious tradition of the Vietnamese people.
Uncle Ho invited engineer Pham Quang Le (aka Major General, Professor, Laborer Tran Dai Nghia) from France to return to Vietnam to take charge of the Vietnam Military Ordnance Department. The General Secretary reviewed the historical process of the military ordnance industry during the two resistance wars when it researched and improved many weapons and equipment to suppress and destroy many of the enemy's most modern weapons.
The General Secretary said that the defense industry has mastered a number of basic and core technologies to successfully manufacture a number of types of missiles; build new types of military ships and military vehicles; produce powerful, controlled firepower weapons and high-tech weapons; radar warning systems; command automation systems; research and manufacture many types of technical supplies, raw materials and materials as a basis for defense production, limiting imports.
Many products have brands in domestic and international markets such as ships, electronic and telecommunication equipment, mechanical products, chemicals, industrial explosives...
The General Secretary requested the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense to focus on leadership and direction to improve the quality of strategic advice; proactively forecast and evaluate the development trends of military science in the world to promptly research and develop weapons and technical equipment of strategic significance for the Army to carry out the task of protecting the Fatherland in all situations.
Strengthening investment resources for defense industry development. Central ministries and branches need to pay special attention to, create mechanisms and conditions for the military to carry out tasks of promoting defense industry development in a proactive, self-reliant, dual-purpose, modern, closely linked direction and become the spearhead of national industry.
The General Secretary requested promoting the effective application of scientific and technological achievements, innovation and digital transformation in research, design, manufacturing, production, repair and modernization of weapons and technical equipment.
Focus on implementing key, breakthrough and spearhead tasks and projects to approach and master new technologies in manufacturing weapons and equipment for military services, branches and forces to move straight towards modernity.
The General Secretary noted that priority should be given to mastering basic and core technologies, developing semiconductor chip industries, advanced materials, and specialized materials for research, design, manufacturing, production, and repair of modern weapons, equipment, and military equipment of strategic significance.
The General Secretary pointed out the need to build the political mettle of defense industry cadres and workers, and to be absolutely loyal to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.
Building a team of leading technical staff and scientists capable of mastering high-tech science and technology to research, design, and manufacture modern weapons of strategic significance, with great deterrence against all invading enemies; combining the task of developing the defense industry with the national industrial development strategy; promoting international cooperation...