With a deep awareness of the assigned responsibility, the Electronic Warfare Department has drastically carried out synchronous solutions on consulting and directing to build a seasoned, strong, compact, modern electronic warfare force to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation.

Electronic warfare is one of the prioritised forces selected by the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence to develop straight to modernity. Fully aware of its honour and responsibility, in recent years, the Department, as the leading agency, has proactively advised and made recommendations to the General Staff and superiors; at the same time, directed and coordinated with agencies and units across the Military to well implement this strategic policy. In particular, recently, grasping and implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TW dated 17 January 2022 of the Politburo (13th tenure); Resolution No. 230-NQ/QUTW dated 2 April 2022 of the Central Military Commission on the organisation of the Vietnam People's Army for the 2021 - 2030 period and the following years, the Party Committee and the Command of the Department have focused on leading, directing, and drastically and synchronously implementing many solutions to build a seasoned, compact, strong, and modern electronic warfare force with comprehensive results.

Commandant of Brigade 84 checks combat readiness on electronic warfare vehicle

Currently, the cause of Military building and Fatherland protection are evolving with increasingly high requirements. Tasks of electronic warfare are increasing in number and complexity, with new challenges, especially the development of military science and technology, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in reconnaissance, jamming, electronic suppression, neutralisation of command systems, combat coordination, communication systems. This necessitate the construction and development of a seasoned, compact, strong, and modern electronic warfare force, focusing on the following main solutions:

Firstly, continuing to accelerate the improvement of the organisation of the electronic warfare force. To effectively implement this solution, agencies and units continue to educate, thoroughly grasp and effectively implement resolutions and directives of higher echelons on arranging and adjusting the organisation and staffing of electronic warfare forces according to the roadmap and plan, ensuring high synchronisation and unity between the mobile electronic warfare force of the Ministry and the electronic warfare forces of military regions, army corps and services.

For newly merged agencies and units, the Department proactively consults with the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence to adjust the combat plan, the arrangement of electronic forces, means, weapons, and equipment to make them close to the target, requirements, tasks, and areas; propose policies and solutions to remove difficulties and "bottlenecks", thereby improving its overall quality and combat strength; direct newly established units to continue to perfect their organisation and staff; deploy activities in accordance with their functions and tasks; promptly supplement and perfect the staff of all levels, focusing on command, staff, and electronic warfare technicians, ensuring sufficient quantity and high quality.

Secondly, building an elite electronic warfare force in terms of politics. Performing special tasks, maintaining strict confidentiality and serious watch, ensuring absolute safety for important targets, important events of the Party, the State, the Army, etc. requiring that electronic warfare officers and soldiers be truly politically steadfast. Bearing this in mind, the Party Committee and Commandant of the Department focus on perfecting and improving the leadership capacity and overall quality of Party committees and organisations at all levels; maintaining and strengthening the absolute, direct, and all-round leadership of the Party over the electronic warfare force; developing steadfast and firm political will, loyalty, dedication, self-discipline, and self-awareness for electronic warfare officers and soldiers so that they may not be negligent, lose vigilance, or made passive or surprised in any situation; strengthening internal security protection, and regularly reviewing political standards of nominees for important tasks, protecting important targets and guarded personnel; not leaking national secrets, military secrets, ensuring absolute safety in all working fields, etc.

Building a contingent of electronic warfare cadres on par with task requirements. First of all, the Department focuses on making its cadres absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State and the People; steadfast in Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thought, the goal of national independence and socialism. They should deeply understand the task of building the Army and defending the Fatherland; stay vigilant against the sabotage plots and tricks of hostile forces; show strong will, regardless of sacrifice, difficulties and hardships; develop good expertise and profession, capable of mastering and effectively handling materiel. Moreover, they should have scientific working methods, be highly accountable, both red and expert, and highly reliable in work.

Conduct jamming in an exercise

Thirdly, improving the quality of training and handling of new and modern weapons and equipment. This is an important solution and a prerequisite for improving overall quality and combat readiness, meeting the requirements of building a seasoned, compact, strong, and modern electronic warfare force. Electronic warfare agencies and units should continue to grasp and effectively implement resolutions, directives, and plans on training, focusing on Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW, dated 20 December 2022 of the Central Military Commission, Resolution No. 524-NQ/DU, dated 18 April 2023 of the Party Committee of the Electronic Warfare Department on improving the quality of training in the 2023 - 2030 period and the following years. Before training, agencies and units should base on the practice of electronic warfare in recent wars and military conflicts to build appropriate training content, focusing on improving the ability to exploit, handle, and master new and modern weapons and equipment for officers and soldiers; at the same time, grasp the preservation, maintenance, and repair process for the goal of long lasting usage and storage.

In addition, there is a need to improve the quality of electronic warfare tactical training according to plans, increase field marching and night training, training in complex climate and weather conditions, and in the condition that the enemy uses high-tech weapons, strong electronic suppression; focus on implementing camouflage measures, diversions, preventing and combating electronic warfare, high-tech weapons of the enemy. Closely coordinate with forces, organise joint training and exercises, integrate training into task performance to familiarise troops with actual combat scenarios.

Finally, focusing on technical supply for tasks. Implementing this solution effectively will bring about a solid foundation for the electronic warfare force to advance straight to modernity. Accordingly, electronic warfare agencies and units throughout the Military should continue to grasp and implement resolutions and directives on technical work in a serious manner, focusing on improving the quality of management, operation, and technical supply for both regular and ad hoc tasks, especially in training, combat readiness, and exercises. They should timely advice and propose to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence to apply science and technology to lengthen the life cycle of technical equipment and weapons; strictly maintain the order and regime of preservation and maintenance of technical equipment and weapons according to the motto of "good preservation, durable use, intensive exploitation, safety", etc. Renovate the system of strategic and operational warehouses to make them capable of preserving and storing  enough reserve equipment and supplies. In addition, the branch should closely coordinate with the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group to research, produce and modernise some types of equipment and weapons, develop reconnaissance, jamming and electronic protection technology, etc. to meet the increasingly high requirements of tasks in modern warfare.

With high political determination, creative ways of doing, cautious and steady steps, the electronic warfare force shall remain united, overcome difficulties, successfully complete all assigned tasks, and make important contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new situation.

Major General TRAN KHOI NGUYEN, Deputy Director of the Electronic Warfare Department