Vietnam, South Korea finalizing $300m howitzer deal: Korean media
Vietnam wants to diversify weapons supply to reduce reliance on traditional partner Russia.
By RFA Staff 2025.01.24 -- Vietnam and South Korea are close to wrapping-up a US$300 million arms deal, the first between the two countries, Korean media reported.
Yonhap News Agency quoted South Korean industry and government sources as saying that Seoul is planning to ship 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Hanoi under the multimillion-dollar contract, making Vietnam the tenth country to acquire the weapons system.
Radio Free Asia could not independently confirm the report.
However, Vietnamese sources told RFA that a team from the Vietnam People's Army underwent a training course for the K9 system held by the South Korean army last November.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang paid an official visit to South Korea in March 2023, during which he visited the 7th Artillery Brigade of the Republic of Korea's army and watched a K9 demonstration. Gen. Giang also met officials from the manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace.
Weapons modernization
A Vietnamese source who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the topic said once the deal is agreed, the K9 howitzers may be delivered with a number of K10 ammunition transport vehicles.
Vietnam essentially would like to secure some technology transfer from South Korea, the source said.
Vietnam has been making efforts to diversify weapon supply sources away from Russia, its traditional partner from the Cold War era as Moscow faces sweeping international sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine.
The new weapon systems are also expected to replace equipment that has been in operation since the 1960s.
The K9 Thunder, now mostly of the K9A1 upgraded variant, is a 47-ton self-propelled howitzer, crewed by five people.
It has a firing range within 30-56km (19-35 miles)and can reach a maximum speed of 67kmh (42 mph).
Vietnam would be the first country in Southeast Asia to purchase the K9 Thunder.
Hanoi and Seoul established a so-called comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of strategic trust and cooperation, in December 2022.
South Korea transferred two Pohang-class corvettes to the Vietnamese navy in 2017-2018 and the Vietnamese coast guard also operates a South Korean Han River-class vessel.
Edited by Mike Firn.
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