The missile of the 261st SA Regiment of 367th Air Defense Division of Vietnam's Air and Air Defense Force opens fire in a live ammunition maneuvers (Photo: VNA)

(VOVworld) – The Air Defense and Anti-Aircraft roles have been of great significance in protecting the country’s national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, sea and islands, and socialism.

President Truong Tan Sang made the remarks at a ceremony to mark the force’s 50^th founding anniversary on Friday in Hanoi. He added that amid the current context of complicated developments in the region and world, constructing and protecting socialist Vietnam are two major national strategic tasks.
The state leader urged the sector to strive to build a comprehensively strong, elite, and modern force that was strictly loyal to the Party and the country, to better fulfill its tasks. President Sang said:

“Inheriting our predecessors skill at being smart and creative in war to fight more powerful enemies, the force is urged to pay more attention to research work and draw useful lessons from the real context of the nation and the world, as well as the force’s experience in 50 years of fighting our enemies, for future development. It’s necessary to prepare plans to defend against attacks from possible enemies as well as those who cooperate with other national forces for better national air defense. Training activities are also of great significance and should be closely tied to real contexts”.

President Sang called on the Force to contribute to raise the national defense budget while improving its staff and soldiers’ living standards. The leader presented the Gold Star Order to the Force to mark the occasion.