Vietnam Ditches Russian Arms Opt For South Korean and American Weapons

K9 Thunder howitzers with the South Korean Army fire during a March 2011 drill. Egypt recently purchased the weapons. (Dong-a Ilbo/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. ambassador to the Southeast Asian country said in December that U.S. weapons manufacturers could collaborate with Vietnamese counterparts to help build up Vietnam’s armed forces.

“Our goal is to ensure that Vietnam has what it needs to defend its interests at sea, in the air, on the ground and in cyberspace,” U.S. Ambassador Mark Knapper said at an international arms expo in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Vietnam hosted the expo that brought together 250 exhibitors including geopolitical rivals including the U.S., China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel and Iran.

U.S. exhibitors include Boeing and Textron Aviation. China is present with Norinco and Gaodu International Trade. Iran’s defense ministry pavilion is not far from booths set up by Israeli companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. A number of Russian firms are also in attendance along with Ukraine’s Motor Sich.

Vietnam has been trying to increase its domestic arms manufacturing while reducing its reliance on Russia for weapon imports.

A key driver for Vietnam is the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a key trade and security route. It a flashpoint in Asia and a fault line in the U.S.-China regional rivalry. Vietnam has been critical of China’s increasingly hostile actions in the disputed waters. Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries have overlapping claims in the busy sea passage.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called the event “message of peace, cooperation and development.” He was later given a tour of a military plane made by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin.

Vietnam to purchase K9 howitzers

According to industry and government sources, South Korea is in the final stages of negotiating a $300 million agreement to export K9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam.

If completed, the deal would mark South Korea’s first arms sale to a Southeast Asian nation, reflecting both countries’ growing defense and economic ties.

The plan reportedly includes the shipment of around 20 K9 howitzers to Vietnam, which would become the 10th country to acquire the system. Previous buyers of the K9 include Australia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.

South Korea’s K9 howitzer has been praised internationally for its proven performance in various operational environments, making it an attractive option for Hanoi as it modernizes its military capabilities.

In November 2024, Vietnamese military personnel participated in a K9 training program conducted by the South Korean Army. The program was part of a broader initiative to familiarize foreign troops with the advanced artillery system. The collaboration followed a visit by Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang to a South Korean military base in 2023, where he was briefed on the K9’s capabilities by Hanwha Aerospace, the manufacturer.

South Korea has previously supported Vietnam’s defense sector with the donation of two decommissioned corvettes.

Developed by Hanwha Aerospace, the K9 Thunder is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer that boasts advanced firepower, mobility, and protection. Its versatility has made it a top choice for countries seeking to modernize their artillery forces. The system is capable of firing a variety of munitions with a range of up to 40 kilometers and has an automated fire-control system for precision targeting.

The K9 has become a cornerstone of South Korea’s burgeoning defense export industry, which has seen increased demand due to global security uncertainties. Vietnam’s acquisition would further solidify the K9’s reputation as a leading artillery solution.

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