Vietnam has become the first country in Southeast Asia, and the first within the socialist bloc, to acquire K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea. The purchase makes Vietnam the tenth operator of the system, joining Türkiye, Poland, Finland, Estonia, India, Norway, Australia, Egypt, and Romania.
According to information released on August 11 by South Korean government and industry sources, Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract on July 27 with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to supply 20 K9s and related equipment. The deal, valued at approximately $250 million, was concluded under a government-to-government arrangement. The agreement covers the delivery of chassis and associated systems, with potential for additional orders and a separate maintenance and overhaul package in the future.
The K9 Thunder is a tracked, armored 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzer designed for rapid, precise fire support. Powered by a 1,000-horsepower MTU diesel engine and an Allison automatic transmission, it has a top speed of 67 km/h and a range of 360 km. The platform features hydropneumatic suspension, all-welded steel armor up to 19 mm thick, and protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds and 152 mm shell fragments. It has a five-person crew, CBRN protection, an automatic fire control system, and can carry 48 projectiles.
Its main gun has a maximum range of 30 km with standard shells and up to 40 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The system can fire up to six rounds per minute and is capable of multiple-round simultaneous impact. For close defense, it is equipped with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
Vietnam is expected to deploy the K9s near its northern border in a configuration similar to that used by India. In addition to the howitzers, Hanoi has shown interest in acquiring the South Korean-developed Cheongung II medium-range air defense system, which incorporates technologies from Russian S-350E and S-400 systems.
The acquisition marks the K9’s entry into a new regional market and reflects growing defense ties between Vietnam and South Korea. Future cooperation could include training, joint exercises, and technology transfer as Vietnam continues to modernize its armed forces.
