AARM-30 officially kicked off

The 30th ASEAN Army Rifle Meet (AARM-30) was officially opened on November 6 at the National Training Center No.4 in Hanoi under the chair of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Nghia.

The event was also attended by Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP) Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet, deputies commanders of ASEAN members’ armies, ASEAN member countries’ defense attachés to Vietnam, and participating contingents of the competition.

Addressing the opening ceremony, General Nghia warmly welcomed the delegates and the contingents taking part in the AARM-30, affirming that this is the first exchange for ASEAN armies after nearly two years of COVID-19 hiatus. Since the beginning of the year, the Vietnam People’s Army has closely worked with other countries to make thorough preparations for the event.

“We were all aware of the importance of peace, stability and development. Therefore, the theme “ASEAN armies cooperate and be united for peace” was chosen with the hope that each country would further promote capability in response to non-traditional security challenges, and enhance ASEAN vision for peace, stability, cooperation and development,” added General Nghia.

At the same time, he also expressed his belief that the competition would contribute to tightening the friendship and solidarity among ASEAN member countries in general and among ASEAN armies in particular.

That Vietnam hosts the event shows the pro-activeness and activeness of the country in international integration. AARM-30 attracts the participations of excellent shooters from armies of ASEAN member countries. This is also a chance for the participants to exchange and have more experience so as to fulfill all assigned missions, and an occasion for ASEAN member countries to get to know more about Vietnamese culture, country and people.

During the opening ceremony, head of the participating contingents received flags of the AARM-30’s organizing panel in Vietnam.

Delegates and athletes enjoyed interesting art performance of the Vietnam People’s Army artists.

After the ceremony, the ASEAN armies’ Second-in-Commands joined a shooting exchange and planted trees.

As scheduled, the shooters will start competing together from November 7 to 11.

* Earlier, also at the National Training Center No.4, General Nghia received Second-in-Commands of ASEAN members’ armies.