South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has finalized a $250-million agreement with Vietnam to supply 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers, marking Seoul’s first-ever arms export to Hanoi. The deal, managed through the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, is expected to conclude with full delivery by late 2025. The 155mm K9 has already attracted ten global customers including India, Poland, and Turkey. For Vietnam—historically reliant on Russian weapons—the purchase diversifies its arsenal and aligns with President To Lam’s recent pledge to boost bilateral defense cooperation. The K9’s high mobility and 50-kilometer firing range were decisive in the selection.
