According to a report by "Defense and Security Asia" on August 13, Vietnam has signed a $250 million arms deal with Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, acquiring more than 20 K9A1 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers.

This is the first time that this type of artillery has been introduced to Southeast Asia, marking a new step for Vietnam in the modernization of regional artillery.

Under the contract, these K9A1s will be delivered by the end of 2025 and are expected to be deployed in provinces such as Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Quang Ninh along the China-Vietnam border.

Evidently, Vietnam's move is aimed at China. Deploying the K9s along the northern border is intended to enhance the Army's long-range strike capability and send a signal to China: there is confrontation in the South China Sea, and there are artillery positions in the north to contain it, trying to force the PLA to divide its forces to defend both land and sea.

K9 Artillery

Let's talk about this gun from South Korea.

The K9 is considered one of the most balanced artillery systems in the world.

It uses a 1000-horsepower diesel engine, with a maximum speed of 67 km/h, 40 km/h off-road, and a maximum range of over 40 to 50 km.

The K9 has the ability to hit multiple targets simultaneously, firing three shells within 15 seconds and quickly relocating to avoid being targeted by counter-battery fire.

If paired with the K10 armored ammunition resupply vehicle, it can sustain high-intensity shooting.

For Vietnam, this means the first time they have a self-propelled artillery system capable of matching a modern army, not only creating an advantage in Southeast Asia but also gaining the tactical capability to strike Chinese border forces.

In scenarios facing China, Vietnam could use the K9's mobility and rapid firing capability to quickly attack assembly areas, supply lines, or forward positions in border conflicts, then withdraw before China can respond.

For neighboring countries, Vietnam's acquisition is a signal that Southeast Asian nations are beginning to focus on building long-range, high-mobility firepower, which may trigger a trend toward modernizing artillery and missile equipment in the region.

K9 Artillery

Vietnam clearly has forgotten its past wounds.

Historical lessons from the Sino-Vietnamese border war show that if Vietnam were to engage in a direct conflict with the PLA, it would be at a significant disadvantage in manpower, firepower, intelligence, and logistics.

Even though the K9 is advanced, China's current PCL-181 155mm truck-mounted howitzer and PHL-191 long-range rocket launcher are superior to Vietnam in terms of range, quantity, and supporting reconnaissance and counter-battery capabilities.

The PLA has a comprehensive counter-artillery system, including advanced counter-battery radar, real-time drone reconnaissance, and satellite monitoring, which can locate the K9's position within seconds of it firing and rapidly destroy the position with rocket fire or air strikes.

China also has an air superiority advantage along the border. If tensions escalate, it can deploy fighter jets, attack drones, or armed helicopters for rapid suppression.

In other words, these 20-plus cannons would have no advantage in actual high-intensity combat, let alone changing the overall strategic balance.

K9 Artillery

Certainly, Vietnam's purchase of the K9 is not meant to confront China directly with these two dozen cannons. Its purpose is to create local deterrence, forcing the PLA to maintain vigilance in the southwest direction, thereby diverting China's military resources and attention from other strategic directions.

This strategy of containment is part of Vietnam's military strategy: it doesn't necessarily need to win in one place, but rather make the opponent pay more to defend multiple directions.

Vietnam is aware that it cannot win a full-scale war, so it chooses to create some "unignorable troubles" with limited equipment.

Nevertheless, regardless of Vietnam's intentions or purposes, deploying near China certainly does not constitute goodwill.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7538263901101474356/

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