The 17th ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference (AACC-17) took place online on October 22 under the chair of Major Gen. Vu Van Kha, Acting Commander of the Vietnam Air Defence-Air Force (VAD-AF). 

Acting Commander of the Vietnam Air Defence-Air Force (VAD-AF)
chairs the conference (Photo: VNA)

In his address, Kha said the presence of air commanders and delegates from ASEAN member nations’ air forces shows the support for and confidence in the VAD-AF as host and strongly affirms the solidarity and unity of the forces, especially in the context of COVID-19.

Themed “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Air Forces”, AACC-17 firmly demonstrates the will and determination of the ASEAN air forces in building a united ASEAN that actively responds to challenges, and takes advantage of opportunities for mutual development, he said.

He underlined the importance of enhancing cohesion to respond to challenges at present and in the future for the stability and sustainable development of the air forces of ASEAN member countries in particular and the ASEAN Community in general, towards ensuring an environment of peace, stability and development.

According to Kha, the air forces of ASEAN countries have proactively promoted cooperation activities, both bilaterally and multilaterally, but due to differences in resources, organisational structure, operating mechanisms, and weapons and equipment, multilateral cooperation is yet to be commensurate with the growing multilateral cooperation between regional militaries.

In recent years, the VAD-AF has been promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the air forces of other ASEAN member nations, with a focus on exchanging delegations at all levels; sharing experience and expertise in pilot training, aviation engineering, and the maintenance and repair of weapons and equipment; and education and training cooperation.

The Vietnamese officer stressed the need for ASEAN air forces to further tighten their relationship via concrete and practical actions, for the stability, safety, and security of the region.

Delegates compared notes on global and regional issues as well as opportunities and challenges facing the ASEAN air forces.

They also proposed measures to promote friendly relations and cooperation between the regional air forces in the time to come, and evaluated the quality of multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief drills to complete regulations on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief of the forces.

In the framework of the conference, Kha handed over the presidency of AACC-18 in 2021 to Thailand’s Royal Air Force.