On the afternoon of June 19, after listening to the presentation and examining the draft Law on People's Air Defense (PKND), the National Assembly discussed this draft law in groups.

According to the report, the management and protection of airspace at altitudes below 5,000m is being highly valued by many countries, especially at the present stage when unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being researched, manufactured, exploited, and used for military purposes as a new combat force with high combat effectiveness.

The draft law clearly states that the task of the People's Air Force is to coordinate with the national air defense force and army air defense force to be ready for combat, to fight, prevent and fight against enemy air attacks and to manage and protect the airspace at an altitude below 5,000m.

Speaking at the meeting, explaining why only this altitude is managed, General Phan Van Giang said that the aircraft, whether super light, with engines, flying fast or slow, can complete many tasks within that distance. If the distance is higher, the effect will be different, and the ability to hit the target will also be different.

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General Phan Van Giang spoke at the meeting this afternoon.

Previously, delegate Phan Nhu Hiep (Thua Thien - Hue ) cited article 11 of the draft law "the force performing the task of PKND is organized into anti-aircraft artillery squads, platoons, anti-aircraft machine gun companies; air defense observation stations and posts, teams shooting at low-flying targets with infantry guns and teams suppressing unmanned aircraft and ultra-light aircraft".

The delegate said that other means should be equipped, for example, shoulder-fired missiles equipped by the People's Armed Forces, because they are very effective, can be ambushed, and used when conflicts occur.

Regarding this proposal, Minister Phan Van Giang said that if it is included in the law, it will take time because producing shoulder-fired missiles is a difficult problem. The Minister said that this is a good solution, but training and using shoulder-fired missiles to hit targets is not simple. Users must also have military knowledge and training qualifications.

The Minister emphasized that "the means of war that are modern today may be obsolete tomorrow." Therefore, the draft law does not specify the concept in detail, "the more detailed it is, the more lacking it is." However, the drafting agency will absorb and study additional information.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, said that UAVs are currently considered a very effective and inexpensive means of combat. A UAV costing only a few hundred, or even tens of millions of VND, can destroy a target worth millions of USD without any risk to life.

This type of weapon is widely used in modern wars. Armies of many countries use it for reconnaissance, attack, and even against targets deep in enemy territory very effectively.

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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong. Photo: Hoang Ha

In our country, UAV is an ultra-light aircraft that is widely used, bringing economic and social efficiency. However, the use of this vehicle for illegal purposes is increasing, posing a threat to national security and aviation safety.

According to Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, in 2023 alone, in Hanoi's inner-city districts, military forces discovered and handled over 1,500 violations of unmanned aerial vehicles and ultralight aircraft.

At the border, smugglers use drones a lot to detect law enforcement. In addition, there are drug criminals who use drones to transport drugs.

However, the Civil Aviation Law and the Investment Law do not stipulate that the business and production of UAVs and ultralight aircraft are conditional industries. Therefore, the management agency does not have a strict mechanism for the import and export of these items.

“If aircraft are not used for the right purposes, it will affect national security and aviation safety. Therefore, the draft law has included it in the conditional business lines to manage registration and flight permits,” said Mr. Cuong.

General Phan Van Giang: Drones pose a potential security threat

General Phan Van Giang: Drones pose a potential security threat

The Minister of National Defense said that the illegal use of drones and ultralight aircraft is increasing, posing many potential threats to national defense, security, and aviation safety and security.