Presenting the proposal, Senior Lieutenant General Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, stated that the current law provides for a defense-security industry fund, with the Government responsible for detailing its establishment, management, allocation, and use.

However, under Conclusion No. 158, the Politburo directed the creation of a separate investment fund for the development of the national security industry, independent from the existing defense-security fund. This new fund is to operate under special mechanisms, accept higher risks, and engage in venture investment to support the growth of the security industry.

Based on this directive, the Government proposes separating the current fund into two distinct entities:

A Defense Industry Fund, to be managed by the Ministry of National Defense. This is a state financial fund, operating outside the state budget, established to support high-risk, urgent missions, or the development of strategically significant weaponry and technical equipment.

A Security Industry Development Investment Fund, managed by the Ministry of Public Security. Also a state financial fund operating outside the state budget, it will invest in and support programs, projects, and initiatives that accept risks and promote the building and advancement of the national security industry.

Institutionalizing the Politburo’s vision

Deputy Minister Le Quoc Hung noted that while the current law mentions a defense industrial complex, it lacks provisions for a national security industrial complex.

According to Conclusion No. 158, the Politburo has instructed the formation of a national security industrial complex led and oriented by the State. At its core will be key security industry facilities under the Ministry of Public Security, supplemented by the participation of domestic and international organizations and businesses with technological and scientific capabilities.

These entities will collaborate in research, design, manufacturing, testing, production, and completion of security industry products.

The Politburo also outlined five priority groups of products and services for the security industrial complex to focus on through 2030, with a vision to 2045.

As such, the Government’s draft law proposes including provisions on the national security industrial complex, specifying its functions, responsibilities, structure, and core and supporting members.

The complex will be tasked with research, technological application, design, production, modification, and enhancement of security products and services. These include:

Cybersecurity and safety
Big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and AI solutions based on national data
Forensic, investigative, and technical tools for law enforcement
Coastal and river patrol vehicles
Firefighting, rescue, and emergency response equipment
Biotechnology-based products

The complex is also expected to master core, foundational, and strategic technologies, facilitate technology transfer, and mobilize national resources to advance the security industry. It will also develop civil-use products and transfer appropriate technologies to serve economic and social development.

National Assembly Committee supports the proposal

Presenting the appraisal report, Le Tan Toi, Chairman of the National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, said the committee basically agrees with the Government’s proposal, considering it an appropriate move to institutionalize the Politburo’s direction.

The committee agreed on the functions, responsibilities, and composition of the national security industrial complex.

Some opinions suggested that the list of products and services should be reviewed or generalized to ensure flexibility and adaptability over time.

There was also a recommendation to add a specific clause establishing a National Security Industry Development Council, or to authorize the Government to detail the council’s structure and responsibilities.

Regarding the core of the complex, the committee supported the Government’s proposal but requested further clarification on procedures and mechanisms for the complex to propose special policies to resolve difficulties during implementation.

There were also recommendations to distinguish clearly between member responsibilities within the complex and the roles of contracted businesses engaged in research, design, production, and delivery of security industry products and services.

Tran Thuong