Thailand prepares prototype 8x8 armored vehicle for Thai Marines

The Panus R600 8x8 AAPC. Photo c/o Sompong Nondhasa/Battlefield Defense Magazine Thailand..

Thailand's Panus Assembly Co. Ltd. revealed their prototype 8x8 armored vehicle being developed for the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) called the Panus R600.

The vehicle is being developed in cooperation with Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) to fill a requirement for 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carriers (AAPC) for the RTMC.

The prototype vehicle, which would be an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant, will be armed with 30mm gun mounted on ASELSAN's NEFER  unmanned turret system.

The Panus R600 will powered by a 600-horsepower diesel engine from Cummins. It will also have two waterjet propulsion systems for traveling over water.

Aside from the IFV with 30mm gun variant, the company also sees the development of other variants including fire support, anti-tank, and engineering vehicles. 



[1] Sompong Nondhasa-Battlefield Defense Magazine
[2] AAG_Th Thai Defense Page