Missiles fired, bombs dropped in Hanoi live defense drill

Besides the shooting range, the High Command of the Capital, in cooperation with other units, performed live fire drills at several other locations in Quoc Oai, Ba Vi and Soc Son districts on Hanoi outskirts.

An anti-air soldier loads ammunition for the first round of firing. The drill consists of four phases, participated by several units with different weapons and equipment manufactured and improved by the army.

Anti-air soldiers operate an air defense gun. Each gun would require five people to operate.

The drills are the highest form of training to increase leadership capabilities, coordination and combat preparedness, among others.

Following the drill commander's instructions, soldiers fired 14 rounds of 57 mm ammunition towards targets on a hill.

After spotting targets, two Mi-17 helicopters fired 32 rocket rounds to destroy them.

Two Su-30MK2 fighter jets dropped two bombs onto targets down below.

The jets then released decoy flares to evade missiles, before splitting in two directions.

The anti-air S-125-2TM missile was shot to eliminate aerial threats. Soldiers then used equipment to verify whether the target has been shot down.

At the same time, armored tank soldiers also got into formation.

The Ministry of National Defense said Hanoi holds special strategic importance. The defense drill is to ensure good defensive capabilities for localities.

Several targets were eliminated in the drill. Army general Phan Van Giang, Minister of Naitonal Defense, said the drill was successfull and different units coordinated well on the battlefield.