Along with continuing to affirm the "dual-use, modern" development viewpoint of previous congresses, the "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-strengthening" elements are added as a new, more comprehensive and complete way of thinking in developing defense industry and defense industry to firmly protect the Fatherland in all situations, especially high-tech warfare. The Party's new, more comprehensive and complete way of thinking on this issue is expressed through the following specific contents:

Firstly, the determination to "promote breakthroughs in the development of self-reliant, self-reliant, self-reliant, dual-use, and modern defense industry and defense industry" has a sound theoretical and practical basis.

Marxist-Leninist doctrine asserts that the fighting power of the armed forces is the result of the synthesis of many factors: People, weapons, equipment, art, fighting style... People always play a decisive role, but weapons are also very important. President Ho Chi Minh was also always consistent with the above viewpoint. He pointed out: "To fight the enemy, first of all, we must have weapons".

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense , inspected the Ministry of National Defense's display area at the National Achievements Exhibition "80 Years of Independence-Freedom-Happiness Journey", September 2025. Photo: VIET TRUNG

Looking back on nearly 40 years of renovation, clearly recognizing the importance of the defense industry and security for the cause of national construction and defense, as well as correctly assessing the situation in all aspects, the Party has issued many resolutions, conclusions and directives on the development of the defense industry and security. The National Assembly promulgated the Law on Defense Industry, Security and Industrial Mobilization. The development guidelines for the defense industry and security have become increasingly complete and comprehensive in terms of guiding viewpoints, goals, tasks and solutions for implementation. Therefore, the defense industry and security have achieved important results, mastering core technologies, researching, designing, manufacturing and producing many types of new and modern weapons and technical equipment. Defense industry and security products are increasingly diverse, dual-purpose, ensuring quality, making a positive contribution to the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country, the modernization of the Army and the Public Security.

However, compared to practical requirements, the capacity of defense industry and security has not met the requirements of building a modern Army and Police; there are not many dual-use products serving people's lives and exports; basic technology, specialized materials and some key areas such as: chemicals, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, special alloys, electronics, new materials...

Currently, the world and regional situation is complicated and unpredictable. Armed conflicts, territorial sovereignty disputes, local wars, and cyber attacks are taking place fiercely. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought about remarkable advances in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and big data. Science, technology, military technology, and security have developed strongly, many new types of weapons have been born, leading to new forms of war, types of operations, strategic spaces, and methods of conducting war; the trend of war using high-tech weapons, remote warfare is increasingly popular, and high-tech crimes are increasing... On the other hand, defense and security products are special goods, belonging to military, security, and national secrets; the purchase and transfer are strictly controlled, expensive, and cannot always be purchased. Therefore, "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-strengthening" to avoid dependence on foreign supplies, ensuring strategic initiative in consolidating and strengthening national defense and security, and protecting the Fatherland.

Second, about the content of developing a self-reliant, self-reliant, self-reliant, dual-purpose, and modern defense industry and defense industry.

The defense and security industry is an important and specific part of the national industry, a basic component of the actual strength and potential of the national defense and security; it has the task of researching, designing, manufacturing, producing, repairing, converting, improving, modernizing, and increasing the lifespan of weapons, technical equipment, professional technical means, technical supplies and other products and services serving the national defense and security; contributing to the industrialization, modernization, protection of the Fatherland and socio-economic development.

“Self-reliance, self-strengthening” in the development of the defense industry and security means being proactive, relying mainly on one’s own strength, and striving to have the capacity to research, design, manufacture, produce, improve, and repair advanced and modern weapons and equipment, as well as existing weapons and equipment, to meet the requirements of building and fighting the armed forces, protecting the Fatherland in all situations, especially high-tech warfare. “Self-reliance, self-strengthening, self-strengthening” does not mean binding oneself to a closed, isolated model, but must take advantage of the country’s new advantages and international cooperative relationships to promote the development of the defense industry and security.

“Dual-use” means having the capacity to research, design, manufacture, produce and repair increasingly modern weapons and equipment, meeting the construction and combat requirements of the armed forces; at the same time, having the capacity to participate in the production of high-value, highly competitive civilian goods, especially in areas where the defense and security industry has strengths, thereby contributing to promoting the industrialization and modernization of the country and improving people's lives.

“Modern” means having the capacity to self-research, design, manufacture, and produce modern weapons and technical equipment with high tactical and technical features such as: high-tech weapons, controlled weapons, and system-integrated weapons... At the same time, repair, improve, and modernize existing weapons and technical equipment in service.

The connotation of “autonomy, self-reliance, self-strengthening, dual-use, and modernity” in the development of defense industry and defense industry aims to: Promote internal strength, self-reliance, and move towards strategic autonomy throughout the process from research to production and development. Maximize the dual-use of products, reduce costs, and increase usage value. Constantly innovate, apply high technology, new technology, ensure increasingly high product quality, meet the requirements of firmly protecting the Fatherland in all situations, especially high-tech warfare.

Third, to unify awareness and resolve "promoting breakthroughs in the development of defense industry, self-reliance, self-strengthening, dual-use, and modern security", focus on implementing viewpoints and solution orientations, specifically:

Regarding the guiding viewpoint: Developing the defense industry and security is a strategic, important, long-term task, meeting the requirements of firmly protecting the Fatherland in all situations, especially high-tech warfare. Firmly upholding the motto of self-reliance, self-reliance, self-strengthening, but must know how to effectively utilize the achievements of world science and technology and selective international cooperation, maintaining independence and autonomy. Promoting dual-use, modern development, creating financial, technological and human resources for the defense industry and security. Linking the development of the defense industry and security with the socio-economic development strategy, ensuring systematicity, efficiency, sustainability and appropriate international integration.

Regarding solution orientation: Promoting the development of defense industry, self-reliance, self-strengthening, dual-use, and modern security in the coming time must be based on three key factors: Modern, synchronous institutions; high-quality human resources and modern science and technology.

Accordingly, it is necessary to create a strong change in awareness, high unity in will and action, and determination of the entire Party, the entire army and the entire people to develop the defense industry and security closely and become the spearhead of the national industry. Continue to perfect the organizational apparatus, reorganize core defense industry and security establishments, and move towards establishing a defense industry complex that is streamlined, efficient, advanced, and modern. Build and perfect the system of related legal documents. Build specific mechanisms and policies to attract and develop high-quality human resources.

Diversify financial, scientific and technological resources, including foreign investment and domestic economic sectors for the development of the defense industry and security. Attach importance to combining the construction and development of the defense industry and security in the strategy for building and developing national industry; build and implement a good coordination mechanism between ministries, branches and localities on the development of the defense industry and security.

Promote digital transformation; improve research, design, and manufacturing capacity for weapons and technical equipment, especially new and modern weapons. Promote international cooperation, effectively organize and implement forms of cooperation, technology transfer, and application of scientific and technological achievements... to develop Vietnam's defense industry and defense industry in the right direction.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/tien-toi-dai-hoi-xiv-cua-dang/day-manh-dot-pha-phat-trien-cong-nghiep-quoc-phong-an-ninh-tu-chu-tu-luc-tu-cuong-luong-dung-hien-dai-1015312