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| General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, addresses the National Assembly__Photo: VNA |
The National Assembly on June 27 heard that the defense ministry reserves the right to down drones and light aircraft if they threaten security.
Delegates were discussing the Law on People's Air Defense, focusing on civil defense forces and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) - including drones and ultra light planes.
Defense minister General Phan Van Giang said that the Ministry of National Defense (MOD) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) are in charge of granting permits to the respective UAVs.
UAVs that do not fall into these categories must be registered at the MPS, but are under the management of the MOD.
Minister Giang said: “With a significant increase in the number of UAVs, our ministry might review and consider delegating licensing to authorities at the lower levels such as provinces, military districts or military forces.
“However, when necessary, the defense minister and public security minister can order flight cancellations.”
Regarding ultralight aircraft which can be used for art performances, minister Giang said that organisers need to pre agree the program and the rehearsal.
Speaking about suppressive fire, he said that if the aircraft does not comply in cases of forced landing, the military reserves the right to bring it down, to ensure control and security. This regulation is also common in many other countries, he added.
On a separate topic, regarding the age at which people are allowed to take part in the people’s air defense, the defense minister said that volunteers above 18 and up to 45 for men and 40 for women, are welcome to join the forces.
Taking into consideration comments from NA deputies, the drafting committee revised and defined people’s air defense as an activity of the people, with the local military, civil defense and military reserve forces as the core to perform comprehensive activities and measures, which ensure the safety of people's lives and property, minimize damage to the national economy, contribute to preserving national defense capacity and participate in controlling and protecting the airspace, as well as preventing and mitigating the consequences of enemy air attacks.- (VNS/VLLF)
