In response to the requirements of Military building and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new situation, the Logistics-Technical Sector of the Tank and Armoured Corps has actively promoted breakthroughs in the application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. At the same time, it is striving to master new-generation weapons and technical equipment, thereby contributing to improving the Corps’ overall quality and combat power.

As a combat technical corps, the Tank and Armoured manages and operates a large inventory of weapons and technical equipment. Alongside weapon systems and equipment that have been in service for many years, it has gradually received and operated new-generation tanks, armoured vehicles, and technical systems incorporating advanced technologies, sophisticated electronic control systems, optics, and automation. This development has generated increasingly demanding requirements in the management, operation, mastery, maintenance, and repair of equipment. At the same time, the Corps continues to face a number of challenges. The contingent of technical cadres and personnel, particularly in newly emerging specialisations, remains insufficient in quantity, while their ability to access, operate, and master certain categories of modern weapons and equipment has yet to fully meet operational requirements. The supply of spare parts and technical materials for some equipment lacks synchronisation and remains heavily dependent on imports. In addition, maintenance facilities, workshops, servicing stations, and testing and inspection systems in certain units have yet to keep pace with the technical support requirements of modern tanks and armoured vehicles.

Checking the quality of spare parts of tanks

In response to these realities, while continuing to effectively carry out logistics support tasks - particularly those related to troop welfare, healthcare, and fuel supply - the Logistics-Technical Sector of the Tank and Armoured Corps has actively fulfilled its core role in advising and assisting leadership and command authorities in implementing a comprehensive set of measures aimed at promoting the application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. These efforts are directed towards enhancing technical support capabilities, mastering modern weapons and equipment, and thereby contributing to the improvement of the Corps’ overall quality and combat power in order to meet mission requirements in the new situation.

Thoroughly grasping and implementing Politburo Resolution No.57-NQ/TW dated 22 December 2024 and Central Military Commission Resolution No.3488-NQ/QUTW dated 29 January 2025 on achieving breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation within the military, the Logistics-Technical Department has proactively advised and proposed that the Corps Command develop, promulgate, and implement a comprehensive system of documents, plans, and guidance for the establishment of a “Digital ecosystem” for its technical sector. Priority has been given to issuing administrative accounts; refining regulations on account management, user authorisation, data updating procedures, and information exploitation; and implementing data cleansing and standardisation in support of digital transformation across technical agencies and units throughout the Corps. Through these efforts, it has gradually developed the capability to manage human resources and monitor the technical status of new weapons and equipment in real time, thereby supporting command and control, fault prediction, and the scientific and accurate organisation of maintenance and repair activities, contributing to enhanced technical support capabilities for units engaged in training and combat-readiness missions.

At the same time, the Sector has actively advised the Corps and the leadership of agencies and units in developing and promulgating annual technical directives and technical work plans, clearly identifying technical support targets tailored to the characteristics, technological features, and operational requirements of each category of newly introduced weapons and equipment. Concurrently, it has directly directed and strictly maintained maintenance routines, periodic servicing schedules, technical inspections, calibration and certification activities, repair work, and equipment synchronisation programmes. These measures have helped maintain stable technical readiness coefficients and improve the reliability and combat readiness of modern tanks, armoured vehicles, and technical systems. Particularly noteworthy is the sector’s proactive role in advising and directing the synchronisation of technical equipment in accordance with mission requirements, as well as the comprehensive synchronisation of weapons and equipment designated for long-term service. Priority has been given to investing in new technologies, enhancing maintenance and repair capabilities within technical stations and workshops, and effectively implementing Technical Project No.324-KT. As a result, during the period of 2019 and 2024, the Corps successfully synchronised 319 tanks, 9 tank transport vehicles, 28 engineering vehicles, 76 motor vehicles, 38 metrological equipment systems, and 122 anti-tank missile systems, thereby significantly improving its capability to provide comprehensive technical support for modern and newly introduced weapons and equipment.

Checking the inventory of warehouse

To create momentum for enhancing technical support capabilities, particularly for new-generation weapons and equipment, the sector has focused on advising Party committees and commanders at all levels to promote the Movement for Technical Initiatives and Innovations, with emphasis on improving and standardising technological processes for preservation and maintenance. Priority has been given to the research, manufacture, upgrading, and modernisation of tanks, armoured vehicles, technical support vehicles, and specialised equipment. At the same time, the branch has coordinated closely with relevant agencies to study and propose suitable “configurations” for certain categories of tanks and armoured vehicles in order to meet the requirements of new forms of warfare. Throughout implementation, the branch has effectively leveraged the expertise of technical cadres and highly skilled technicians, combining theoretical research with practical application at unit level, and integrating the operation of weapons and equipment with lessons learned from training and combat-readiness activities. Through the movement, numerous technical initiatives and innovations have been successfully applied to technical support tasks. To date, the sector has gradually standardised a wide range of technical management procedures, including procedures for reporting the technical status of tanks and armoured vehicles; managing military vehicle and machinery inventories; conducting intermediate-level repairs on T-54 and T-55 tanks; managing artillery systems and technical equipment; calibrating and certifying measuring instruments; and developing electronic identification codes for weapons and technical equipment, among others. In addition, a number of specialised software applications have been effectively introduced into service, supporting the management of weapons and ammunition, military driving licences, transportation forces, and the calculation of maintenance, recovery, and towing support requirements during exercises and combat operations. These developments have contributed significantly to improving management quality, command and control effectiveness, and the overall technical support capability of the Corps.

Fully aware that human resources constitute the decisive factor in determining the quality and effectiveness of technical support for modern tanks, armoured vehicles, and specialised equipment, the Logistics-Technical Department has focused on developing a contingent of technical cadres and personnel along the lines of specialisation, standardisation, and the gradual mastery of advanced technologies. Priority is given to improving proficiency in the operation, preservation, maintenance, and repair of modern tanks, armoured vehicles, and technical systems; enhancing the ability to utilise technical inspection and diagnostic equipment; and strengthening capabilities in troubleshooting complex failures and organising technical support under conditions of manoeuvre, exercises, and combat readiness. Accordingly, the Department has directed specialised technical branches to proactively review, plan, and closely manage technical personnel according to their professional specialisation, training background, and ability to operate and maintain newly introduced weapons and equipment. Annual training and professional development plans are developed in close alignment with the practical requirements of individual agencies and units. At the same time, cadres and technical personnel are actively assigned to specialised training courses and professional workshops organised by higher authorities, while cooperation is strengthened with military academies, technical establishments, and units operating new equipment in order to provide in-depth training on technologies, tactical and technical characteristics, and maintenance and repair procedures for new-generation tanks, armoured vehicles, and technical systems.

Alongside centralised training programmes, the sector has intensified on-site training by closely integrating specialised instruction with maintenance and repair activities conducted within units. Training content focuses on practical skills such as disassembly and assembly, inspection, fault diagnosis, advanced maintenance and repair techniques, and the proficient use of measurement and calibration equipment, specialised software, and modern technical support systems. Regular technical competitions, technical proficiency contests, and skilled technician and crew competitions are maintained as an important means of assessing professional competence and the ability of technical personnel to master modern equipment. At the same time, efforts continue to be made to enhance digital skills, provide guidance on the use of specialised digital platforms and software for management, command and control, and technical support activities, and progressively apply digital technologies in technical status management and specialised training. As a result of the comprehensive implementation of these measures, the technical cadre corps and technical personnel of the Corps have made significant progress in terms of professional expertise and their capacity to operate and master modern weapons and equipment, thereby increasingly meeting the requirements of assigned missions.

Tanks participate in the A80 Parade

To enhance the capability to manage, operate, and master new weapons and equipment, the sector places considerable emphasis on expanding cooperation in scientific research and technological application. Closely aligned with its functions, missions, and practical requirements, the sector has proactively advised the Corps Command to participate in military-technical cooperation activities with foreign partners and to coordinate the reception of foreign experts for research, technical exchanges, and the sharing of experience in the maintenance and repair of tanks and armoured vehicles within units. The sector also actively participates in conferences, forums, and exhibitions introducing defence products and military technologies held by the Ministry of National Defence in order to keep abreast of emerging trends in the development of modern weapons and technical equipment. At the same time, cooperation with domestic scientific and technological institutions has been strengthened, with particular emphasis on implementing projects relating to the research, upgrading, and procurement of armoured equipment, as well as participating in programmes aimed at the modernisation of tanks and armoured vehicles in accordance with the orientations of the Ministry of National Defence. Notable achievements include participation in the upgrading of the T-54B tank; the research and production of the T1, XCB-01, and XTC-03 vehicle models; the manufacture of hydraulic power-assisted steering systems for T-54 and T-55 tanks; and the research and pilot production of the “zero-series” 14.5 mm barrel-clamping assembly applicable to the weapon systems mounted on T-90S/SK, T-62, T-54, T-55, and PT-76 vehicles. The sector has also progressively refined technologies for replacing petrol engines with diesel engines on BTR-60PB armoured personnel carriers. These efforts have contributed significantly to enhancing technical self-reliance, reducing dependence on imported equipment and spare parts, and improving the quality of technical support provided to operational units.

Besides research and equipment modernisation, the sector has actively coordinated with specialised agencies to accelerate the application of information technology and digital transformation in technical management, command, and administration. In 2025, the Department cooperated with the Information Technology Institute under the Military Science and Technology Institute to develop an internal communication software system. This system has initially met requirements for rapid and convenient information exchange and management, thereby contributing to improved command and control effectiveness and more efficient execution of specialised tasks.

Building on these achievements, the Logistics-Technical sector of the Tank and Armoured Corps will continue to promote scientific research, technological application, innovation, and digital transformation, while enhancing its capability to support modern weapons and technical equipment. These efforts are directed towards meeting the requirements of building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern Corps and contributing to the firm safeguarding of the Fatherland in the new situation.

Senior Colonel DO VAN DIEP, Chief Logistical and Technical Officer, Tank and Armoured Corps