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Vietnam is in the final stages of talks to acquire K9 155mm self-propelled howitzers from South Korea, according to media reports from Seoul.
Under the rumoured deal, the country will acquire approximately 20 self-propelled guns (SPG) from Hanwha Aerospace worth around US$300 million, according to unnamed military officials quoted in South Korean media reports.
Vietnam has previously shown interest in the systems following a reportedly successful tour to South Korea by Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang in February 2023.
If a deal is struck, Vietnam would join Australia as a K9 operator. In December 2021, Hanwha Defense Australia officially signed a contract with the Commonwealth for the supply of Huntsman AS9 self-propelled artillery systems to the Australian Army as part of the LAND 8116 Phase 1 program for procurement of 30 self-propelled artillery systems and 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles.
Thirty AS9s and 15 AS10s are expected to be in service in the Australian Army by 2028 and will be primarily operated by 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in Townsville.
Sergeant Jake Brown, from Townsville’s 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, has been an instructor on the M777 and said the main difference was being able to shoot and move quickly.
If moving, the K9 can stop and fire within 60 seconds, or if stationary, 30 seconds.
“It will be able to fire rounds and move from that position immediately so you don’t receive counter-battery fire,” SGT Brown said.
The Vietnam People’s Army currently fields older model US-made 105mm M101 and 155mm M1 and M114 howitzers as well as Soviet era 152mm M1955/D-20 field guns.
