Studying recent military conflicts and local wars, particularly the Russia - Ukraine and the Israel - Hamas conflicts, reveals that artillery and ground-to-ground missile forces have been extensively deployed by the parties involved, becoming one of the key forces on the battlefield. This practical situation raises the urgent issue of developing the Artillery-Missile Force of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), aiming to meet the requirements and tasks of Homeland protection in the new situation.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been intensifying, marking the largest scale of destruction in the world in the last 50 years. From another perspective, global military researchers believe that this is also a demonstration of “the war of artillery and ground-to-ground missiles” since these forces are extensively deployed, serving as the main firepower for inflicting damage on the enemy and the forces that the enemy focuses on targeting and destroying. Most recently, in the early hours of 7 October 2023, Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip unexpectedly launched thousands of ground-to-ground missiles and rockets and used militants to infiltrate Israeli territory, initiating a new conflict. A few hours after being attacked, Israel immediately launched the “Iron Swords” campaign to destroy Hamas and rescue hostages. The Israeli military primarily used its air force, combined with artillery and missiles, to strike over 15,000 targets and carried out a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip. Hamas maximised the use of ground-to-ground and anti-tank missiles to retaliate against the Israeli ground offensive.

Looking into the two aforementioned conflicts, it is obvious that along with other types of weapons and equipment, artillery and missiles have been used in large numbers, with high intensity, and in a variety of types, including ground-to-ground and anti-ship missiles, self-propelled artillery, rocket artillery, towed artillery, mortars, and anti-tank missiles. Among them, many modern and intelligent artillery and missile weapons have been employed, resulting in high effectiveness and severe losses to the enemy. The reality also highlights the important role and the challenges faced in command and control, reconnaissance, logistics, and technical aspects of artillery and missiles in modern warfare. This raises urgent issues that need to be studied for the development of the Artillery – Missile Force of the VPA.

Brigade 490 under the Artillery Corps practise combat readiness

1. Building an “elite, compact, and strong” artillery and missile force that advances towards modernity

According to assessments on the use of artillery and ground-to-ground missiles in the Russia - Ukraine military conflict, both sides have mobilised thousands of towed artillery guns, self-propelled artillery, rocket artillery, various types of mortars, as well as thousands of anti-tank missile units and hundreds of ground-to-ground and anti-ship missile launcher vehicles. Furthermore, the strength of the two sides’ artillery and missile forces has been enhanced by high-tech artillery and precision-guided munitions, capable of flexible mobility and organised under modern fire command systems. Both parties have maximised the use of modern artillery and missile capabilities in warfare and have applied automation in artillery fire command based on modern reconnaissance and target indication technology. This has resulted in significant destructive effectiveness, affirming that artillery and ground-to-ground missile have become the main forces on the battlefield.

Based on these practical experiences and a correct understanding of the role of artillery and missiles in combat, thoroughly grasping and implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TW of the Politburo (13^th tenure) and Resolution No. 230-NQ/QUTW, dated 2 April 2022, of the Central Military Commission on the “Reorganisation of the Vietnam People’s Army for the 2021 - 2030 period and beyond”, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence have established a roadmap for developing the Artillery Corps into the Artillery - Missile Corps by 2030. However, this policy requires significant financial resources. Therefore, to achieve the set goals and requirements, it is necessary to focus on perfecting and expanding the artillery organisation model in the infantry divisions with strong firepower; consolidate the organisation and upgrade the equipment of permanent artillery and missile units; and prepare a substantial artillery and missile reserve force that is ready for mobilisation in case of emergency. On the other hand, to develop ground-to-ground, anti-ship, and anti-tank missile forces within the artillery and missile force, it is crucial to enhance research and manufacturing combined with the selection, procurement, and technology transfer of missiles from other countries. In the current complicated and unpredictable global and regional conditions, it is vital to encourage and promote the role of the General Department of Defence Industry, Military Industry - Telecoms Group (Viettel), and related units in researching, developing various types of modern rocket artillery, ground-to-ground, anti-ship, and anti-tank missiles, and manufacturing integrated automated fire control systems, gradually achieving self-sufficiency in weapons and equipment supply for the Army. Besides, it is necessary to innovate and modernise means and equipment to ensure synchronisation with the development of the artillery and missile force.

2. Preparing a comprehensive and in-depth reserve of artillery and missile weapons, equipment, and ammunition to meet the requirements of high-intensity, high-consumption warfare

According to estimates from foreign intelligence agencies, in the Russia - Ukraine military conflict, the parties have used an immense amount of artillery shells and missiles. As of 30 November 2023, both sides have used tens of millions of various artillery shells, thousands of ground-to-ground missiles, hundreds of anti-ship missiles, and tens of thousands of anti-tank missiles. These figures do not include the losses from the enemy’s precision weapons striking weaponry and ammunition storage facilities, including artillery shells and missiles. Furthermore, according to assessments by global military commentators, after several months of combat, both sides are gradually depleting their artillery and missile stockpiles.

In addition, due to the extensive use of artillery and missiles in combat, the possibility of these assets being depleted or destroyed by the enemy has continuously increased. In fact, thousands of artillery and missile vehicles from both countries have been destroyed and rendered inoperable in the conflict. This fact demonstrates that the level of artillery and missile usage, along with the depletion of vehicles, equipment, and ammunition for these forces, is extremely high. This poses a significant challenge for the parties involved in maintaining a sustainable supply to support the ongoing combat requirements of their artillery and missile forces.

Thus, in modern warfare, combat takes place continuously and lasts for a long time with high-precision and high-intensity weapons, leading to a great consumption of materials and equipment. Artillery and missiles are among the primary targets the enemy focuses on attacking and depleting, whereas the ability to manufacture and replenish them is often limited and untimely. Therefore, there is a need to prepare a large reserve of weapons, equipment, artillery shells, and missiles stored in dispersed and highly secure locations from peacetime. To achieve this, the Artillery Corps needs to continue researching and grasping the situation to advise and propose to the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence to adjust the deployment of artillery and missile forces scientifically and appropriately in each strategic and defensive area, especially the strategic reserve artillery and missile brigades. All artillery units throughout the Army should focus on coordinating with localities to proactively build a robust and comprehensive artillery defensive posture linked with building regional defensive postures. In addition, these units should effectively prepare storage systems, logistics-technical bases, mobility routes, artillery and missile positions, etc. according to plans, thus meeting the requirements of high-intensity, long-duration combat operations.    

3. Enhancing the quality of human resources in the artillery and missile force to meet the requirements of modern combat

Recent conflicts and wars have raised the issue that artillery and missile forces should be highly skilled and equipped with increasingly modern weapons. Simultaneously, there is a need for higher quality human resources to operate means and equipment for reconnaissance, measurement, and rapid, accurate, and timely preparation for firing to destroy targets and quickly leave combat. In the Russia - Ukraine conflict, in addition to the provision of various types of weapons and modern artillery and missile equipment, Western countries had to organise training for tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. Moreover, the Ukrainian artillery and missile force actively recruited engineers, IT students, and controllers to operate different types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance, counter-battery radar systems, and new artillery and missile weapon systems for combat. Regarding the Hamas forces, despite being under strict surveillance, they have secretly trained personnel to manufacture and use missile and rocket systems, thereby creating surprise in combat operations.

This fact necessitates that, besides the step-by-step modernisation of artillery and missile weapons and equipment, our artillery and missile force must prepare the content, programmes, and training methods for officers, specialised staff, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers in artillery and missile units to proficiently use new weapons and equipment, especially UAVs for reconnaissance and modern automated firepower command and control systems. Concurrently, agencies and units should attach importance to comprehensively innovating leadership, direction, management, and operation, as well as the forms, organisations, and methods of training and exercises to enhance combat strength as per Resolution No. 1659-NQ/QUTW dated 20 December 2023, of the Central Military Commission. To maximise the results, agencies and units need to strengthen practical training so that troops can master weapons, equipment, and gear, enhance their mobility, speed of deployment, retrieval of weapons and equipment, and combat performance. Besides, they should focus on closely combining tradition with modernity, focusing on training in difficult and complex situations and conditions in modern combat while organising more high-intensity field training to enhance troops’ endurance and combat will.

Developing an artillery and missile force with a high combat strength is a strategically important issue that is both urgent and long-term. It requires thorough research and creative application of traditional experience, particularly from modern warfare practices, aligned with the unique characteristics of the Vietnam’s Artillery Corps, and the task of building the Army and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation.

Senior Colonel, Dr. KIEU HUU KIEN, Principal of the Artillery College