South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has finalized a landmark $250 million defense deal with Vietnam, covering the export of 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers. This marks Seoul’s first formal arms sale to Hanoi, moving beyond previous transfers of decommissioned naval vessels. Delivery will be handled by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, with completion expected by late 2025.
The agreement was concluded following Vietnamese President To Lam’s recent visit to Seoul, where both nations pledged deeper cooperation across multiple domains. With this purchase, Vietnam becomes the 11th global operator of the K9, joining a roster that includes India, Poland, Turkey, Australia, and several European countries.
Interestingly, Vietnam—like India—has historically relied heavily on Russian defense imports, with Moscow supplying nearly 80 percent of its arsenal from 2000 to 2023. The decision to procure the South Korean system highlights Hanoi’s intent to diversify its military suppliers while strengthening strategic ties with Seoul.
The K9 Thunder’s combination of powerful artillery, high mobility, and competitive pricing proved decisive in the selection process. Each unit is priced at around $12 million, offering a top speed of 67 kilometers per hour and a range of 360 kilometers. The platform can fire both high-explosive and precision-guided rounds, striking targets up to 50 kilometers away.
