The export of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, South Korea's key defense export item, to Vietnam is imminent, as reported on the 20th.
According to military authorities on the 20th, South Korea and Vietnam are in the final stages of negotiations for the export of South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers, with a contract expected to be concluded soon. The quantity is around 20 units of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, with a possibility of further increase. The estimated scale is about $300 million (approximately 430 billion won).
If this export is realized, Vietnam will become the 11th country in the world to introduce the K9 self-propelled howitzer. The K9, a best-selling model that holds nearly half of the global self-propelled howitzer market, is also making its first entry into Southeast Asia. Currently, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Estonia, Norway, Egypt, India, Australia, and Romania have introduced the K9 self-propelled howitzer.
This export to Vietnam also signifies the first transaction of South Korean defense exports to a communist country. Vietnam is located south of China and, during its past conflict against the United States, engaged in combat with South Korean forces. Although it has now adopted a capitalist economy, it continues to maintain a one-party communist system. The defense industry has previously refrained from transactions with communist countries, but the intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China appears to have changed the situation.
In February 2023, Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang visited South Korea, where he expressed interest in South Korean weapons systems, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, and attended a briefing at Hanwha Aerospace. This comes about two years later.