Thailand unveils combat unmanned ground vehicle development

The D-Iron UGV. Photo c/o IHS Jane's.

As part of the ongoing Defense and Security (D&S) 2019 defense exhibition in Bangkok, the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand has unveiled its unmanned combat ground vehicle (UCGV), which is being developed locally in cooperation with Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Australia, and Milrem Robotics of Estonia.

The CUGV called the “D-Iron UGV” uses a platform based on Milrem’s tracked THeMIS UGV coupled with EOS’ R400S Mk2 Direct Drive Heavy Duty (D-HD) remote weapon station (RWS).

The vehicle without the RWS is around 1,630 kilograms, and has a carrying capacity of up to 1,200 kilograms of payload or weapons and munitions including machine guns, lightweight autocannons, and anti-tank guided missiles.

It has a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, and can be used in a variety of missions including fire support, reconnaissance, anti-tank, patrol, counter improvised explosive device missions, and logistics support.

[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly