Party chief calls on Army Corps 12 to turn itself into military’s “steel fist” force

Party General Secretary To Lam has asked Army Corps 12 to focus on political and ideological education while building its officers and soldiers with political mettle, ready to serve as the military’s “steel fist”.

Paying a working visit to the unit, stationed in the northern province of Ninh Binh, on August 5 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2), the Party chief laid stress on the need for the corps to thoroughly understand and implement the Party and State’s policies, particularly the resolution adopted at the 13th Party Central Committee’s eighth plenum on the strategy to defend the Fatherland in the new situation.

Party General Secretary Lam called for readiness to accomplish any mission as a modern, elite, and strong mobile unit, urging the corps to preserve and promote the proud legacy of the Vietnam People’s Army in the new revolutionary phase.

While acknowledging the corps’ achievements in stabilising its organisation, maintaining training and readiness standards, building an exemplary unit, improving the Party building work, developing close ties with the people, and cultivating unity and responsibility within its troops, the Party leader highlighted future army building, national defence consolidation, and homeland protection will require the corps’ leaders to pen more substantive approaches, innovate thinking, set examples, and sacrifice personal interests for troops and missions.

He called for active coordination with localities and units following the implementation of the two-tier local government model to arrange a rational all-people defence posture, underscoring the need to complete combat readiness plans, regional defence operations, and civil defence measures in a timely manner while maintaining strict combat readiness to avoid passivity and surprise in any situation.

He tressed that it must fulfill its dual role as both a combat unit and a production one, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality, where it is stationed.

As a key combat corps, it must demonstrate breakthrough determination in developing science technology as well as promote innovation and digital transformation suitable for military and defence missions, he said, stressing that the unit must build each officer and soldier into a "digital warrior" who masters digital foundations and possesses digital skills for mission execution.

The Party chief requested regular attention to building strong and exemplary Party committees and organisations at all levels. The 12th Army Corps must make meticulous preparation for its first Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, leading to the 12th Military Party Congress and the 14th National Party Congress, ensuring democracy, unity, and consensus.

He also urged continued promotion of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle while resolutely opposing individualism in the new situation, strengthening internal political protection work, and safeguarding the Party's ideological foundation.

Additionally, he asked the corps to improve the material and spiritual life of its soldiers, ensuring they wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland and the people.

Earlier, the Party chief offered incense at the memorial to the fallen heroes of the corps, toured its museum, and planted trees in the courtyard of the unit's headquarters.