The Vietnam People’s Air Force will carry out intercepting procedures to deal with aircraft that intrude on the country’s airspace, according to a draft decree by the Ministry of National Defense.

The Ministry of Justice said it was in the process of appraising the defense ministry’s draft decree.

Over the past several years, military units nationwide have focused on supervising the country’s airspace, flight operations, and related issues in order to ensure the safety of civil and military aviation activities.

Air force units have also organized flight training sessions on a regular basis which focus on military interception, escorts, and coercive measures against aircraft which enter Vietnam’s airspace without permission.

However, as the Southeast Asian country has yet to develop a legal framework on the issue, the relevant ministries and agencies are unable to hold joint military flight training and field exercises.

Consequently, if an aircraft enters the country’s airspace without permission, competent forces find themselves up against juridical obstacles when attempting to jointly handle the issue.

Once the draft decree is passed, it will be applied to manned aircraft that operate in the airspace above Vietnam’s territory and violate flight regulations; Vietnamese institutions, foreign organizations, and individuals involved in flight operations in Vietnam’s airspace; and agencies and airport operators in the country.

Pursuant to the draft decree, the Vietnam People’s Air Force will intercept aircraft which violate  the country’s airspace, escort such aircraft out of the airspace, or force them to land at a Vietnamese airport.

If an aircraft enters Vietnam’s airspace without permission from authorities, it would be considered a violation of the country's sovereignty and airspace regulations.

Failure to comply with flight rules, flight regimes, and guidelines from aviation control agencies would also result in an aircraft being subject to interception or escort measures.

Aircraft would be forced to land at certain Vietnamese airports if they fail to follow instructions given by intercepting or escorting planes, or if they operate in Vietnam’s airspace but do not properly perform flight clearance protocols.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!