South Korea’s K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer continues to gain momentum in the global arms market, with Vietnam on track to become the latest buyer of the advanced artillery system.
South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing defense industry and government sources, has reported that Seoul is in the final stages of a US$300 million agreement to export approximately 20 K9 howitzers to Hanoi.
According to the envisioned plan, South Korea is set to send about 20 K9 howitzers to Vietnam. If finalized, this deal would mark Vietnam’s first-ever arms procurement from South Korea.
The K9 Thunder is widely adopted around the world, with deliveries either completed or in progress to countries including Australia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.
If the plan progresses as reported, Vietnam will become the 10th country (excluding South Korea) to acquire the South Korean-made howitzer system.
Vietnam’s decision to acquire the K9 system comes at a time when the country is seeking to diversify its military supplies in response to shifting global and regional security dynamics.
As one of South Korea’s largest trading partners, Vietnam is keen to strengthen its defense cooperation with Seoul, which has become an increasingly important player in the global arms market.
Vietnam’s interest in the K9 was made clear during the 11th Korea-Vietnam Defense Strategy Dialogue in April 2024, where Vietnamese Vice-Minister of National Defence Hoang Xuan Chien expressed a desire to procure South Korean weapons systems, particularly the K9, to strengthen the People’s Army of Vietnam.
By the end of the same year, Vietnamese troops participated in a South Korean Army-led training program on the K9 system.
Before that, Vietnam’s Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang visited South Korea in 2023, toured a South Korean Army unit operating the K9, and met with Hanwha Aerospace to discuss a potential acquisition.
Reports suggest that Vietnam is seeking to purchase up to 108 K9 howitzers as part of an extensive modernization of its artillery units, which currently rely on outdated systems.
Vietnam’s artillery, which mainly includes Soviet-era self-propelled howitzers and Chinese Type 63 multiple rocket launchers, is in dire need of an upgrade.
The acquisition of K9 howitzers, even in a limited quantity, is expected to resolve these shortcomings and deliver more advanced and reliable fire support for the Vietnamese military.
South Korea’s K9 Howitzer
The development that South Korea is in the final stages of negotiations to export its K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam highlights the growing global demand for this advanced artillery system.
The K9 has firmly established itself as one of the most sought-after pieces of military equipment on the international arms market.
The K9 Thunder is a 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzer designed and produced by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. It can carry up to 48 projectiles and is capable of launching six rounds per minute.
With a range of 60 kilometers (37 miles), the K9 is highly effective in both long-range bombardment and rapid-response scenarios.
Since its debut in 1999, the K9 has evolved into a cornerstone of South Korea’s defense exports, making up more than half of global self-propelled howitzer orders. As of last year, over 1,400 units of the K9 have been delivered or are slated for export to various countries.
South Korea itself operates a large fleet of K9 howitzers, which are deployed along the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating it from North Korea.
The K9’s ability to operate in the challenging mountainous terrain of the DMZ is a key feature, as it is equipped with an advanced hydropneumatic suspension that helps it navigate rough landscapes with ease.
The K9’s firepower is formidable, with its turret housing a 155mm howitzer equipped with a long 52-caliber barrel capable of striking targets up to 26 miles away. This range can extend to 35 miles when using rocket-assisted projectiles.
The K9’s five-man crew operates in a fully enclosed environment, protected from nuclear, biological, and chemical threats, with 19mm steel armor providing defense against heavy machine-gun rounds and shrapnel.
Additionally, a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the turret offers close defense and limited air defense capabilities.
Beyond the K9’s advanced specifications, several factors contribute to its success in the international market. The efficiency of South Korea’s production lines, combined with resilient supply chains, allows faster delivery times compared to competitors.
Another major element of South Korea’s success is the focus on localization. South Korean manufacturers work closely with foreign customers to customize equipment to meet specific needs and offer technology transfer agreements that allow for local production.
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