Vietnam’s Air Defense and Air Force on Wednesday mobilized anti-aircraft soldiers, weapons, and military equipment to join a live-fire drill at the Area 1 National Shooting Range in Bac Giang Province, which borders Hanoi in northern Vietnam.

The Hanoi Capital High Command collaborated with relevant units to organize an opening ceremony for the defense drill, meant to protect Hanoi, on September 29.

The live-fire exercise was commissioned by some Politburo members, including Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai, and Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Defense drills in particular and live-fire exercises in general are aimed at upskilling soldiers and improving the fighting capability of the armed forces, heard the opening ceremony.

Securing Hanoi is critical to the country’s defense as the capital city is a strategic location, General Giang said.

The defense drill was the largest-ever in the northern region in terms of participating soldiers, military vehicles, and Vietnam-produced weaponry. 

It was set to take place in four phases, with the first focusing on equipping soldiers with high fighting spirit and turning the defense area into a battlefield.

The second phase of the four-day drill saw the careful preparation of defense operations, while the third phase allowed soldiers to practice fighting against fire and air attacks.

The final stage concentrated on shooting. 

Soldiers fire rounds of 57mm ammunition toward targets during the Hanoi area defense drill on October 2, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

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