PM visits air defense missile battalion
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited air defense missile battalion 64 of the Airforce Service’s division 361 on January 13, calling on officers and soldiers to stay prepared for combat in any situation.
Division 361 is responsible for protecting the airspace of Hanoi and the northern region.
It was a key force in the 12-day battle against the US B52 bombing of Hanoi, which resulted in a victory dubbed “Dien Bien Phu in the air” in December 1972.
The division was involved in over 1,800 battles between 1965 and 1970 and shot down 591 enemy airplanes, including 35 B52s.
Today, the battalion has been equipped with an S-300 PMU 1 system, which can detect targets at a distance of 300km and raze targets from a distance of 5km to 150km at a height of between 10m and 27,000m.
PM Dung lauded both the division and the battalion’s efforts to acquire modern weapons and be ready for action, saying this helped maintain the country’s peace, independence and sovereignty.
He also asked the officers and soldiers to improve their professional skills, utilize advanced technology and create skillful combat plans to be well prepared for any situation.
The Party and State will strive to equip the army with modern equipment, the PM said.