Building on the achievements, the Electronic Warfare force continues to strengthen its development into a seasoned and modern force, constantly improving its overall quality, combat strength, and ability to master electromagnetic space, meeting the requirements of missions in the new situation.

In the roadmap for Military modernisation, Electronic Warfare is among the forces prioritised and invested by the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence to develop straight to modernisation.

Deeply aware of this honour, in recent years, the Department of Electronic Warfare has closely coordinated with relevant agencies, advised the General Staff, and proposed to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence to decisively implement solutions to build a lean, efficient, and powerful Electronic Warfare force, meeting the requirements for developing straight to modernisation. Electronic warfare units are constantly improving their skills, combat readiness, and fighting strength, successfully fulfilling their mission of protecting key targets, individuals, and important events of the Party, State, and Army, etc. In particular, the Department focuses on building a team of officers and professional soldiers with comprehensive capabilities, strong political resolve, and excellent professional skills; advising on procurement, research, production, and equipping the Electronic Warfare force with modern specialised weapons, equipment, and technical means, creating new combat strength, effectively handling situations, and preventing passivity and surprise, etc.

Currently, the country is entering a new era of development with both advantages and challenges. The breakthrough development of military science and technology, especially artificial intelligence, digital technology, cyberspace, and high-tech weapons, is profoundly changing the methods of warfare and the form of war. In such a context, the task of strengthening national defence and Fatherland protection places increasingly high demands on the entire army, especially the Electronic Warfare force – the key player in controlling and mastering electromagnetic space. To successfully fulfill its assigned tasks, the Electronic Warfare force continues to thoroughly grasp the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party, the Resolution of the 12th Military Party Congress, resolutely and comprehensively implementing solutions to build an elite and modern force, continuously improving the quality of training, mastery of high-tech weapons and equipment, and combat capabilities in the electromagnetic and cyberspace environments, contributing to the firm protection of the Fatherland.

Brigade 84 of the Electronic Warfare Department at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Firstly, improving the quality of research and strategic planning, not to be made passive and unattended in all situations. The electromagnetic field and cyberspace have become particularly important strategic environments; therefore, the Electronic Warfare Department continues to research, forecast, and accurately identify the development trends of weapons, equipment, combat methods, and the ability to control electromagnetic space in order to advise the General Staff, and propose to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence policies and strategies to firmly protect the Fatherland in electromagnetic space. First and foremost, it will focus on in-depth research on the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, command and control systems, electronic warfare, cyber warfare, high-tech weapons, and unmanned aerial vehicles in recent wars and military conflicts; thoroughly study the enemy's schemes, tactics, capabilities, and methods of conducting electronic warfare; collect and analyse electronic parameters used by the enemy in the air, at sea, and on land to build a complete and accurate database for effectively serving strategic planning and electronic warfare command.

Moreover, it is to continue to advise and propose to the General Staff and the Ministry of National Defence on the effective measures for state management of electronic warfare activities; identify projects, programmes, plans, content, and measures for building and developing the Electronic Warfare sector in the new situation; propose international cooperation contents in the field, contributing to building a “revolutionary, regular, seasoned, and modern” Electronic Warfare force.

Secondly, focusing on improving the quality of its human resources, building a modern electronic warfare force. Performing tasks in a special field, with strict security and duty, with high professional requirements demands that electronic warfare troops must possess strong political conviction and absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, the Party, the State, and the People. Accordingly, its Party committees and commanders at all levels should focus on educating their officers and soldiers so that they develop impeccable moral character, good sense of self-discipline and responsibility, resilience, professionalism and the readiness to accept and successfully complete all assigned tasks.

For officers, especially the leading ones at all levels, it is necessary to continue to innovate and improve the quality of cadre work. Emphasis is placed on enhancing their knowledge of electronic warfare and other modern forms of warfare; improving their competence in strategic planning, command, management, and task implementation. The goal is to build a contingent of cadres who are both red and expert, with strategic thinking, in-depth expertise, and able to command and control operations in all situations.

For technical and professional staff, it is necessary to focus on in-depth, modern training; promote scientific research, innovation and technical improvements; enhance the ability to master new generation electronic warfare weapons and platforms. Build a team of highly skilled technical staff to meet the requirements of high-tech warfare.

In addition, continue to select, attract, and recruit high-quality personnel who meet the requirements, focusing on majors directly related to electronic warfare with high scientific and technological content. Coordinate closely with academies, schools, research institutes, defence industry facilities, and foreign partners to train and improve managerial and command skills; transfer management, operation, and repair processes for weapons and technical equipment. Conduct regular evaluation of cadres thoroughly and make good plans and use of the typical ones. The results of task performance and the ability to master science and technology will be used as the basis for annual evaluation of cadres.

Mobile electronic warfare vehicle (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Thirdly, modernising weapons and technical equipment, creating a foundation for enhancing the combat capability of the Electronic Warfare forces. Along with thoroughly understanding and effectively implementing the Strategy for ensuring Electronic Warfare equipment until 2030 and beyond, the Department will continue to lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to research and advise the General Staff on the procurement of synchronous modern electronic warfare weapons and equipment, especially electronic reconnaissance systems capable of detecting stealth targets; radar jamming systems, systems for reconnaissance systems and jamming unmanned vehicles, etc. Emphasis will be placed on linking the development of Electronic Warfare forces on par and uniformed with the modernisation of other forces, especially the Navy, Air Defence - Air Force, and those operating in strategic directions and areas.

In addition, attention will be paid to the promotion of scientific research and command of new technologies and core technologies in the field of electronic warfare. It is to strengthen coordination with Military agencies, units, research institutes, defence industry facilities, and high-tech enterprises to research, test, produce, improve, extend the lifespan, and modernise electronic warfare weapons and equipment. On this basis, self-reliance in technology and production will be gradually achieved, reducing the dependence on external supplies, and meeting the requirements for building a modern electronic warfare force.

Moreover, it is to focus on improving the quality of management, exploitation, preservation, maintenance, and repair of weapons and technical equipment. Continue to invest in and upgrade technical facilities in a synchronised and modern manner, meeting the requirements for training and combat readiness. Actively research and produce spare parts and materials, enhancing on-site technical supply capabilities. Maintain a high technical efficiency contributing to improving the overall quality and combat strength of the entire force.

Finally, improving the quality of training, exercises, combat capabilities, and mastery of electromagnetic space in all situations. The Electronic Warfare Department will coordinate closely with agencies and units throughout the army to conduct careful preparation for training; promote innovation in training content, programmes, and methods to suit the target audience, tasks, geographical areas, organisational structure, and weapons and technical equipment.

Adhering to the goal of “Grasping the wave - Steadfast forwarding”, it is to focus on improving the quality of specialised technical training in a synchronised, in-depth, and modern manner. Emphasis is placed on equipment training, especially new and modern ones for troops so that they thoroughly understand camouflage, deception, and electronic protection measures for strategic targets, command and control systems, etc. Focus on training electronic warfare tactics according to plans and scenarios; strengthen field training, night training, training in harsh weather conditions, and training under enemy high-tech weapons and strong electronic warfare. Enhance the soldiers' resilience and skills in handling complex situations; make them thoroughly understand and effectively implement command procedures, combat operations, and maneuverability, thereby improving their ability to “detect the enemy through interference” and “master the electromagnetic spectrum”, proactively neutralising or limiting the enemy's electronic warfare activities.

Promoting the application of science, technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and simulation software to improve the quality of training. Emphasis is placed on drill training, physical training, and enhancing the ability to endure and work in difficult and arduous conditions for troops. Strengthen joint training and electronic warfare exercises at all levels; participate in joint forces exercises, and counter-attack exercises; closely integrate training with exercises, and exercises with combat readiness tasks to perfect the command and combat coordination mechanisms. Strictly maintain the combat readiness duty regimes; strengthen reconnaissance, surveillance, and maintain a firm grasp of the electronic situation, especially in key areas and directions. Last but not least, promote practical and theoretical research and reviews; supplement and develop the art of electronic warfare in modern warfare in accordance with people's war for national defence.

Proud to be one of the forces prioritised for modernisation, the officers, staff, and soldiers of the Electronic Warfare force will continue to uphold traditions, hone their skills, maintain unity and solidarity, innovate, and make it a highly skilled and modern force to meet the requirements of Fatherland defence in the new situation.

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