Hanoi (VNA) – To ensure best preparations for the upcoming Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024, the armed forces involved are intensifying their rehearsals for the opening ceremony, which promises an impressive and captivating spectacle.

The expo, set to open on December 19 on the outskirts of Hanoi with the theme "Peace, Friendship, Cooperation for Mutual Development," is of signifiance as it coincides with the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All People's Defence Festival.

A grand showcase of strength, brainpower

One of the most-awaited highlights of the opening will be a dynamic aerial display by the Air Defence-Air Force (ADAF), emphasising the growth, strength, and prowess of both the force and the broader military forces. This spectacular display will not only showcase Vietnam’s military capabilities but also demonstrate its strengths, intelligence, and mettle.

To ensure the performance meets international standards, the Ministry of National Defence has instructed the ADAF to design a more complex and challenging flight programme than the one presented at the first edition in 2022. In addition to the fleet from the Division 371, 18 aircraft from two other air divisions, 370 and 372, will also take part. These include nine Su-30MK2 fighter jets and nine armed helicopters, with 14 primary aircraft and four reserves.

The highlight of the aerial display will be the performance of four Su-30MK2s fighters at low altitudes, executing impressive manoeuvres such as thrust increases, steep climbs, rolls, and looped turns.

Colonel Nguyen Nhu Khoat, Political Commissar of Division 371, explained that these advanced aerial maneuvers are extremely difficult and comparable to the level of military aviation in any nation. The performance, set against the unpredictable weather conditions of northern Vietnam, requiring exceptional skill and precision from pilots.

Major Nguyen Van Hai, deputy head of Squadron 1, Regiment 927, Division 371, one of the participating pilots said detailed plans have been developed with the close coordination of all pilots, ensuring that the display will be a striking success at the opening ceremony.

Quintessence of traditional martial arts to be highlighted

For the opening ceremony, more than 2,000 personnel from the Special Forces, a distinguished and elite arm of the VPA renowned for its flexibility, courage, and surprise tactics, will perform a variety of displays. The Special Forces Officers School, the Commando Brigade 113, and the Special Operations Brigade 1 will play the core role at the event, which will feature the evocative “Vietnam’s Spirit” segment, a 10-minute performance that includes drum and flag displays, martial arts routines, and coordinated formations.

Participants, including international delegations and local audiences, will witness an extraordinary exhibition of Vietnam’s martial arts. These performances symbolise the martial arts heritage that has been passed down through the generations and demonstrates the unique military strategies of "defeating the strong with the weak" and "winning with fewer forces." The displays will also evoke the strength and resilience of the Vietnamese people in their historical struggles for independence.

Colonel Ta Hong Quang, Political Commissar of the Special Forces, emphasised that beyond the broader themes of the expo, the Special Forces aim to convey a message of great solidarity strength of the nation and the heroic VPA/.