The Law on Defence and Security Industry and Industrial Mobilisation was adopted by the 15^th National Assembly on 27 June 2024 and has come into force from 1 July 2025. This represents a crucial legal foundation and signifies a significant advance in developing the defence and security industry specifically, as well as the national industry in general. For this Law to take effect in reality, maximising its efficacy and efficiency, it is essential for the entire political system, the whole population, and the armed forces to focus on thorough, rigorous implementation.

The promulgation of the Law marks a considerable advancement in the strategic thinking and vision of the Party and State in improving the legal framework, providing momentum, and setting the direction for the defence and security industry’s development in a proactive, self-reliant, dual-use, modern manner, closely linking defence and security with the economy, thus establishing a self-reliant, sustainable defence capability able to meet national construction and defence requirements under new conditions.

The Law comprises seven chapters and 86 articles, detailing the position, roles, principles, organisation, operations, resources, regimes, policies, as well as responsibilities of agencies, organisations, and individuals involved in defence and security industry and industrial mobilisation. Among these, several groundbreaking regulations address organisation, operation, resources, regimes, and policies, notably concerning science and technology and defence and security production, strongly motivating defence and security industry development.

Though the Law creates an essential legal framework, ensuring consistency and alignment with related regulations, its implementation still faces numerous practical challenges in mechanisms, policies, financial resources, science and technology, and high-quality human resources, among others. Therefore, for the Law to be effectively realised and achieve optimal results, all levels, sectors, localities, and units must synchronously implement the following breakthrough tasks and solutions:

1. Urgently finalising legal documents guiding the Law’s implementation to ensure practicality, consistency, and efficiency.

The defence and security industry is a specialised sector directly involving state secrets and national security; hence, completing subordinate legal documents under this Law is crucial to determining the quality and effectiveness of its implementation. Recently, the Ministry of National Defence has coordinated closely with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice, and relevant agencies to thoroughly and urgently implement Decision No.717/QĐ-TTg, dated 27 July 2024, by the Prime Minister, issuing the list and assigning the responsible bodies to draft detailed regulations for the implementation of the Law, and Decision No.936/QĐ-TTg, dated 7 September 2024, on the implementation plan for the Law on Defence and Security Industry and Industrial Mobilisation. To date, the Ministry of National Defence has completed drafting and submitted to the Government and Prime Minister for approval and issuance numerous significant legal documents guiding the implementation of the Law, including Decree No.99/2025/NĐ-CP, dated 6 May 2025, detailing certain provisions of the Law; Decree No.103/2025/NĐ-CP, dated 25 May 2025, specifying policies for core defence and security industrial establishments and their employees; Decree No.08/2025/NĐ-CP, dated 28 May 2025, regulating scientific, technological, and innovative activities serving the defence and security industry; and Decree No.09/2025/NĐ-CP, dated 3 June 2025, detailing certain financial management provisions for the defence and security industry and the Defence and Security Industry Fund, among others, providing specific legal frameworks for implementing the provisions of the Law.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Pham Hoai Nam speaks at a conference on the establishment of the Law (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Building upon these achievements, the Ministry of National Defence, adhering closely to Party guidelines and Government directives and keeping abreast of practical situations, will continue reviewing and developing new regulatory documents addressing emerging issues during the Law’s implementation. It will also research and formulate a comprehensive Strategy for Defence and Security Industry Development and Industrial Mobilisation, including mechanisms to mobilise resources effectively, resolve bottlenecks, encourage innovation, and fully unleash productive capacities, thereby facilitating the construction and comprehensive, effective, consistent, and feasible development of the defence industry. Research will focus on clearly defining the conditions and participation methods of mobilisation establishments, the functions, duties, and components of defence industry complexes, state policies regarding these complexes, and regulations for exporting defence industry products and services.

Additionally, the Ministry of National Defence will instruct its specialised agencies, notably the Department of Legal Affairs, the General Department of Defence Industry, and the Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel), to continuously review and advise the Ministry on proposals to competent authorities for amending and supplementing related legal documents to ensure coherence, uniformity, and prevent overlaps or conflicts with other laws, especially within the context of ongoing institutional reform. Special attention should be paid to researching distinctive financial, investment, and land-use mechanisms, specifying preferential policies for infrastructure development and production expansion in core defence industrial establishments, and unique mechanisms related to credit, taxation, and land support, creating the most favourable conditions for the robust growth of the Defence Industry sector.

2. Developing breakthrough policies to attract talent and build high-quality human resources for defence and security industry.

High-quality human resources are a fundamental, critical, and continuous factor determining the success of defence and security industry development. Therefore, strictly implementing policies aimed at attracting such talent is an urgent and key issue. To address this, the Ministry of National Defence will continue vigorously implementing the Project “Policies to Attract and Employ Talented Individuals for the Vietnam People’s Army until 2030, with a Vision towards 2050” as stipulated in Decision No.726/QĐ-TTg dated 8 April 2025 by the Prime Minister. Particular emphasis should be placed on reviewing, developing, and implementing projects, plans, and training programmes to build a high-quality defence industry workforce with appropriate quantity and structure. This includes the establishment of intensive training programmes dedicated specifically to the defence industry and strengthening links with domestic and international universities and research institutes to enhance training quality. Special attention should also be devoted to continuously developing programmes aimed at cultivating experts, leading scientists, chief engineers, and highly skilled research staff to meet the strategic requirements for weapons and technical equipment development. Additionally, specific policies should be enacted to attract and recruit top scientists, skilled engineers, and experienced workers to the defence industry, especially in areas involving advanced, foundational, and core technologies.

Furthermore, directives should be given to research, supplement, and refine policies and benefits to ensure comprehensive material and spiritual welfare for managers, scientists, engineers, technical specialists, and skilled workers in defence industry facilities, especially those involved in special projects, assignments, and strategic missions. It is also essential to create favourable conditions, providing optimal research facilities and equipment, enabling them to fully utilise their intellectual capabilities and contribute maximally to the development of the defence industry.

3. Enhancing investment and capacity for research, development, and mastery of foundational and core technologies.

This task is a critical measure directly determining the development and autonomy of the defence industry. To address this, the Ministry of National Defence continues to direct research, planning, and implementation of strategies and plans for defence industry development, national industrial mobilisation plans, and mechanisms and policies to enhance science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation in line with Resolution No.57-NQ/TW, dated 12 December 2024, of the 13^th Politburo. Specific criteria should be established for identifying experts, leading scientists, and chief engineers within the defence industry, alongside a prioritised list of dual-use technologies for investment and development, forming the foundation for practical implementation. Priority areas include research and development in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, Big Data, space technology, specialised materials, and new materials. There should also be advise on establishing and modernising national centres of excellence in defence-related science and technology research and development.

To achieve outlined objectives, the Ministry of National Defence will actively advise and propose to the Party and State the establishment of basic research programmes focusing on foundational and core technologies. Financial support mechanisms from the state budget and other lawful sources should be established for strategic research, design, manufacturing, and production projects related to significant defence technical equipment. Efforts should be intensified to develop high-tech defence industry clusters, anchored around core defence industrial establishments and linked closely with civilian organisations and enterprises possessing strong technological capabilities. Clear organisational structures, collaborative relationships, missions, and detailed strategic tasks should be identified through to 2030, with a vision to 2045, aiming to create an effective research and production ecosystem. Special mechanisms should be proposed to the Government for strategic science and technology tasks, granting programme and project leaders autonomy and flexibility to adjust research content and implementation plans while bearing responsibility for outcomes. Concurrently, specific mechanisms should be issued to facilitate effective implementation of programmes, projects, and initiatives for manufacturing and producing defence industrial products, particularly strategic weapons and technical equipment, thereby enhancing the combat strength and readiness of the armed forces.

4. Strengthening mobilisation and efficient utilisation of financial resources.

The construction and development of the defence and security industry require substantial financial and technological investment. Under current conditions, to effectively achieve the objectives outlined in the Law, alongside prioritising stable and long-term dedicated state budget allocations, it is essential to diversify resources and enhance capital mobilisation from enterprises and other lawful sources, strictly adhering to regulations. Accordingly, the Ministry of National Defence should continue cooperating with relevant ministries and sectors to develop specific legal documents establishing distinctive financial mechanisms for research projects and defence product manufacturing. These mechanisms include special ordering, task assignments, special bidding processes, and risk compensation for enterprises; budget allocation mechanisms allowing experimentation and tolerances for errors in research and development; and risk funds for high-tech projects. Additionally, preferential policies regarding corporate income tax, import-export taxes for defence-related products and raw materials should be applied, alongside prioritised land and infrastructure allocations for strategic production facilities. Efforts should be made to enhance transparency and efficiency in managing and utilising the Defence and Security Industry Fund, ensuring resources are accurately allocated, with priority given to key projects, high-tech initiatives, and urgent tasks.

5. Promoting linkages and cooperation between defence, security industries, and civilian sectors.

This task is a critical measure for successfully achieving the objective of building and developing an advanced, modern, dual-use defence and security industry, fully leveraging national potential and contributing to national development. The Ministry of National Defence should continue collaborating with relevant ministries and sectors to review and propose mechanisms that promote cooperation and integration between the defence industry and various economic sectors, particularly the private sector. On one hand, this involves refining mechanisms for placing orders, establishing production cooperation agreements, transferring technology, and training human resources with enterprises outside the defence sector, thereby creating favourable conditions for private enterprises to participate effectively in key defence industry projects. Policies should also be enacted to encourage and facilitate the participation of businesses, especially private enterprises, in defence industry supply chains. On the other hand, the Ministry of National Defence should continue researching mechanisms to foster close cooperation between core defence industry enterprises and civilian businesses in research, production, and technology transfer, aiming to generate high value-added products and incentivise civilian industrial facilities to invest in dual-use technology and participate in the research and production of defence-related products.

6. Improving international cooperation effectiveness.

International cooperation in the field of defence and security industry is an objective necessity to leverage comprehensive strength for the development and growth of the sector, especially in the context of extensive globalisation and international integration. Consequently, ministries, sectors, localities, and particularly core defence industrial establishments must proactively and actively engage in international integration, prioritising international cooperation on technology transfer for manufacturing high-tech products, such as weapons and technical equipment, new materials, cyber warfare, cybersecurity, aerospace technologies, satellites, military ships, underwater weapons, unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence applications, and dual-use technologies.

International cooperation serves not only as a channel to access technology but also as an opportunity to enhance managerial capabilities, standardise production processes, and engage more deeply in global supply chains. Nevertheless, challenges remain in selecting strategic partners and negotiating substantive technology transfer terms to avoid technological dependence while ensuring national security. Striking a balance between self-reliance and international cooperation is key. Therefore, cooperation and technology transfer must always prioritise national and ethnic interests above all, strictly comply with regulations on technology transfer, intellectual property rights, and other relevant laws, and prioritise partners offering modern, dual-use technology transfers. Additionally, exporting defence industrial products is crucial for participation in the global supply chain of weapons and technical equipment. Hence, efforts must be put on promoting cooperation programmes for high-quality human resource training with countries possessing advanced defence industries, actively engaging in joint research projects to gain experience, enhancing research and development capacities, expanding market access, improving competitiveness, and affirming the standing of Vietnam’s defence industry.

7. Establishing flexible and effective industrial mobilisation mechanisms.

To effectively implement the provisions of the Law, the Ministry of National Defence will continue coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to thoroughly review, survey, select, and establish a clear list and stringent management of enterprises qualified for industrial mobilisation. Detailed industrial mobilisation plans will be formulated, covering production methods, equipment repair, material reserves, and personnel training. Furthermore, clear regulations on the processes, methodologies, and responsibilities of various levels, sectors, and enterprises regarding industrial mobilisation should be established, ensuring maximum mobilisation of national industrial potential and rapid transition to defence production when required. To enhance industrial mobilisation capacities, ministries, sectors, and localities should focus on supporting enterprises tasked with industrial mobilisation to fully establish production lines and repair facilities in line with defence technical requirements. Regular industrial mobilisation exercises will be organised to assess and improve the performance capabilities of enterprises and state management agencies, ensuring preparedness for mobilisation in various scenarios. The rigorous and effective implementation of the Law on Defence and Security Industry and Industrial Mobilisation constitutes a political responsibility for the entire Party, political system, population, and armed forces, aimed at developing a modern and autonomous defence and security industry capable of meeting the demands of national development and firmly safeguarding the nation in the new era.

Senior Lieutenant General PHAM HOAI NAM, Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defence