Vietnam Expressed Interest in Korean-made K9A1 Self-propelled Howitzer

03 April 2023

Vietnamese delegation inspected the K9 self-propelled howitzers (all photos : QDND)

Vietnam has shown a high interest in defense industry cooperation with Hanwha as it promotes military modernization. During his visit to Korea, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang had a surprise meeting with Hanwha Aerospace executives and inspected the K9 self-propelled howitzers deployed in the Korean Army, expecting additional orders from Hanwha.

According to the industry on the 30th, Minister Jang secretly visited the Hanwha Aerospace business site during his visit to Korea on the 27th and 29th. He is believed to have looked at defense technology and discussed arms export contracts and technology transfers.

Vietnam is seeking to modernize its military and is considering the introduction of new weapons. In a meeting with Prime Minister Han Deok-soo on the 28th, Minister Jang showed great interest in Korea's weapons system. On the same day, they visited the 7th Artillery Brigade under the 7th Mobile Corps (hereafter referred to as the 7th Corps) stationed near Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, and inspected the K9A1 self-propelled howitzers of Hanwha Aerospace deployed in combat.

The K9A1 self-propelled howitzer is a weapon that has improved the performance of the K9 self-propelled howitzer. It is equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), so it can perform missions without running the main engine and can operate day and night.

Attention is focusing on whether additional exports of K9 series self-propelled howitzers will be made as Minister Jang expressed his willingness to cooperate with Hanwha in the defense industry.

The K9 is a weapon representing K-Defense. It took over 50% of the global self-propelled artillery market and ranked first in market share. Starting with Turkey in 2001, the company proved its competitiveness on the world stage by exporting to India, Finland, Norway, Estonia and Australia. Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract to export self-propelled artillery worth 2 trillion won with Egypt in February last year, and then signed a large-scale arms contract with Poland worth 3.2 trillion won.

(The Guru)