South Korea has secured a significant defense export breakthrough with the K9 howitzer Vietnam agreement. Hanwha Aerospace confirmed the sale of 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam for 245 million dollars. Government officials finalized the contract in July and scheduled deliveries for completion by the end of 2025.
This agreement marks Hanwha Aerospace’s entry into the Southeast Asian market. The K9 howitzer Vietnam deal also represents a rare arms sale to a socialist nation with long-standing Russian defense ties. Historically, Vietnam sourced more than 80 percent of its weapons from Russia between 2000 and 2023.
However, Vietnam has shown steady interest in the K9 for years. Officials admired its strong firepower, mobility, and competitive price compared to similar systems. In 2024, Vietnam’s artillery commander suggested deploying the K9 to Artillery Brigade 204 near Hanoi. That same year, Vietnamese soldiers joined Korea’s international artillery training program. They studied K9 and K2 operations alongside personnel from multiple countries.
Hanwha Aerospace has now exported the K9 to 11 nations, including India, Poland, and Australia. Over 1,300 units have been sold worldwide since the howitzer’s debut in 1999. Most previous buyers were US allies or NATO members, valuing interoperability with Western-made weapons. Vietnam’s purchase stands out due to its limited defense alignment with Seoul.
Defense analysts note that weapons with low interoperability demands can be sold to states with differing security systems. The K9’s standalone capabilities make it attractive in such scenarios. This sale could lead to broader arms exports to diverse markets in the future.
Korea and Vietnam are also renewing their high-level defense ties. Leaders from both nations announced the resumption of the Korea–Vietnam Defense and Military Cooperation Committee after a 17-year pause. They pledged to enhance collaboration between their defense industries.
Experts say the K9 howitzer Vietnam deal has symbolic weight. It bridges historical divides and signals a more flexible Korean approach to arms exports. Furthermore, it may set the stage for routine transactions with countries outside traditional alliances.
With this agreement, Korea strengthens its global defense profile while Vietnam gains a proven artillery system. Both nations stand to benefit from expanded cooperation in the years ahead.
