{"id":2208132,"date":"2025-01-28T17:25:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T08:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208132"},"modified":"2025-01-29T14:47:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T05:47:42","slug":"vietnams-276-million-deal-for-k9-howitzers-deepens-ties-with-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/01\/vietnams-276-million-deal-for-k9-howitzers-deepens-ties-with-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnam\u2019s $276 million deal for K9 howitzers deepens ties with South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea is in the final stages of securing an approximately $276 million (400 billion won) deal to export 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam, marking Seoul\u2019s first defense export to a communist country and Vietnam\u2019s first purchase of South Korean weaponry.<\/span><\/p>\n

This agreement highlights a historic pivot in Vietnam\u2019s defense policy as it modernizes its military to counterbalance China\u2019s growing assertiveness in the region, while South Korea cements its position as a leading global arms exporter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The deal highlights the strategic alignment between South Korea and Vietnam in the Indo-Pacific region, a theater increasingly defined by competition between the U.S. and China. It also reflects South Korea\u2019s ambitions to integrate security cooperation into its partnerships within Southeast Asia, elevating its role as a major player in regional stability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Experts told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the deal will likely open the door for expanded defense cooperation between Seoul and Hanoi, marking a significant shift in regional security dynamics.<\/span><\/p>\n

VIETNAM\u2019S MODERNIZATION DRIVE<\/b><\/p>\n

Vietnam\u2019s decision to acquire the K9 reflects a broader strategy to modernize its military amid growing tensions with China over the South China Sea. The communist state, long reliant on Soviet-era weaponry, sees the K9 howitzer as a vital tool for bolstering its artillery capabilities and asserting its sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first case of South Korean weapons entering a nation still under communist rule,\u201d Shin Seung-ki, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>. He emphasized that the deal marks a significant departure from Vietnam\u2019s reliance on outdated systems, signaling its intent to adopt advanced military technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

This modernization effort gained momentum in <\/span>Feb. 2023<\/span><\/a>, when Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang made a confidential visit to Hanwha Aerospace\u2019s facilities to observe the K9 in action.<\/span><\/p>\n

His visit laid the groundwork for closer cooperation, which culminated in <\/span>April 2024<\/span><\/a>, when Vietnamese Artillery Commander Nguyen Hong Phong discussed brigade-level deployment of the K9 with South Korea\u2019s then-Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Then-ROK Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho with Vietnam’s Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien during their meeting, April 23, 2024 | Image: ROK Ministry of National Defense<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n

The K9 deal carries significant geopolitical weight, not just for Vietnam but also for South Korea\u2019s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. Vietnam\u2019s willingness to purchase South Korean weaponry signals a shift in its defense alignment, reflecting a desire to reduce dependence on Chinese and Russian suppliers while diversifying its partnerships.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Korea, with its expertise in balancing relationships between global superpowers, is positioning itself as an ideal partner for Vietnam\u2019s strategic ambitions,\u201d said Choi Gi-il, a professor at Sangji University\u2019s National Security Division. He highlighted that the deal reflects Hanoi\u2019s growing unease with China, particularly over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe K9 is more than a military asset for Vietnam \u2014 it\u2019s a statement of sovereignty and a signal to the world of its intent to protect its national interests,\u201d he told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin of KIDA echoed this view, pointing to Vietnam\u2019s historical tensions with China, including past border clashes and ongoing maritime disputes. \u201cVietnam continues to see China as a major challenge,\u201d Shin told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>. \u201cThe K9 howitzer offers a credible deterrent along its northern border and strengthens its artillery capabilities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ban Kil-joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, highlighted the K9\u2019s maritime applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe K9 howitzer\u2019s capabilities, including its potential as a coastal defense system, could play a critical role in protecting Vietnam\u2019s maritime interests,\u201d Ban said. He added that the deal contributes to a rules-based order in the South China Sea, where the U.S. and China are vying for influence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy providing Vietnam with advanced artillery, South Korea strengthens its strategic value to both Washington and Beijing, enhancing its influence in the broader Indo-Pacific region,\u201d Ban said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This transaction also enhances South Korea\u2019s strategic value to the U.S., which views Hanoi as a key partner in countering Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific. By supplying advanced weaponry to Vietnam, South Korea strengthens its alignment with Washington\u2019s regional goals while expanding its influence among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Admiral Kim Myung-soo (center), chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks in front of a K9 howitzer with South Korean marines at a base on Yeonpyeong Island, Dec. 12, 2023 | Image: ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

STRATEGIC VALUE FOR SOUTH KOREA<\/b><\/p>\n

For South Korea, the deal represents a milestone in its defense export strategy. Hanwha Aerospace\u2019s K9 howitzer has already dominated the global market, with over 1,300 units sold to 10 countries. Vietnam\u2019s purchase would not only expand this roster but also enhance South Korea\u2019s reputation as a reliable arms supplier in Southeast Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ban described the transaction as a \u201cpivotal first step\u201d in expanding South Korea\u2019s defense presence in the ASEAN region. He suggested that Vietnam\u2019s adoption of the K9 could pave the way for other Southeast Asian nations, such as the Philippines, to explore similar partnerships with Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

This deal also aligns with South Korea\u2019s Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to integrate defense cooperation into its partnerships with ASEAN member states. While previous initiatives, such as the New Southern Policy, focused primarily on economic collaboration, the K9 export reflects a more comprehensive approach that includes security dimensions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis demonstrates South Korea\u2019s readiness to play a more active role in the region\u2019s security architecture,\u201d Ban said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other military delegates at Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024, Dec. 19, 2024 | Image: Vietnam Ministry of National Defence<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

RISKS AND CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n

Despite its strategic benefits, the K9 deal is not without risks. China\u2019s response to the sale, which Shin of KIDA expects to be muted, could escalate if future transactions involve more advanced systems, such as naval platforms or guided missile technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuch exports would increase China\u2019s strategic burden,\u201d Shin said. \u201cSouth Korea must carefully navigate its growing partnership with Vietnam to strengthen ties without unnecessarily escalating tensions with China.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the initial sale of the K9 platforms, another challenge lies in technology transfers, local production agreements and comprehensive after-sales support. While agreements involving local assembly or maintenance could make South Korean systems more attractive to importing nations, they also risk eroding Seoul\u2019s competitive edge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe must avoid giving away too much,\u201d Choi warned. \u201cShort-term gains should never come at the expense of long-term sustainability.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Vietnam\u2019s historical ties with South Korea \u2014 marked by their opposing roles during the Vietnam War \u2014 add a layer of political sensitivity. Both nations have made significant progress in improving bilateral relations, but South Korea will likely have to treat this deal, along with its general outreach to Vietnam, delicately to avoid triggering diplomatic friction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers fire at targets during a ROK army training exercise, June 18, 2009 | Image: ROK Defense Ministry via Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

PROSPECTS GOING FORWARD<\/b><\/p>\n

Experts see the K9 deal as a gateway to expanded defense cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam. For instance, Shin of KIDA believes that China\u2019s growing assertiveness will provide South Korea with the opportunity to export more advanced systems like Cheongung surface-to-air missiles, Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers and naval platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such collaborations would not only enhance Vietnam\u2019s military capabilities but also solidify South Korea\u2019s role as a key player in the global defense market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe K9\u2019s success could serve as a gateway for Vietnam to integrate more South Korean weaponry into its military,\u201d Shin said, emphasizing the potential for a broader defense partnership. Local production agreements and after-sales support could further strengthen Vietnam\u2019s defense industry while deepening its ties with Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choi noted that South Korea\u2019s defense exports are about more than financial gains. \u201cIt\u2019s about building trust, maintaining technological superiority, and ensuring each deal aligns with South Korea\u2019s strategic objectives,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

As South Korea expands its defense exports, it must balance economic opportunities with geopolitical risks. The K9 deal with Vietnam is a landmark moment, not just for the two nations involved but for the broader Indo-Pacific region. It underscores South Korea\u2019s growing influence in global defense while offering a roadmap for future partnerships that align economic and strategic interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re playing in the big leagues now,\u201d Choi said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Defense & Security<\/span><\/a>Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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