In a landmark $250-million defense deal, Vietnam will acquire 20 K9 howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, making it the 11th global operator of the advanced artillery system. Deliveries, overseen by the state-run trade agency, will wrap up by the end of 2025. The sale comes after President To Lam’s state visit to Seoul as both nations agreed to broaden cooperation beyond commerce into security. The K9, valued for its mobility, long range, and flexibility, offers Vietnam a significant upgrade from its mostly Russian-supplied arsenal and reflects the shifting defense landscape in Asia.
