Thailand to acquire 8x8 and 4x4 armored vehicles for naval transport requirements

The Panus R600, one of the competing offers for the 8x8 armored vehicle requirement. Photo c/o Shephard Media.


The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was reported to have released a requirement for the acquisition of two types of armored vehicles.

The requirement includes the acquisition of two 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles, and six 4x4 armored vehicles for the RTN’s Naval Transportation Department.

Competing for the 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle are local companies Panus Assembly Co. which manufactures the R600 8x8 armored personnel carrier, and Preecha Thavorn Industry with their Black Widow Spider 8x8 amphibious APC.

Based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) from the RTN, the budget for two 8x8 armored vehicles is THB99.99 million (US$3.07 million), or around THB49.95 million (US$1.54 million) per vehicle.

The vehicles are expected to carry 18 crew and passengers, have amphibious capabilities, has a top speed of at least 110 kilometers per hour, and 12 kilometers per hour on water.

It shall also have NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection, and weigh at least 21,000 kilograms, at least 9,000 millimetres long, and 3,400 millimetre’s wide.

Meanwhile it is believed that Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd. would be suppling their First Win II 4x4 armored vehicle for the requirement for 4x4 armored vehicles, while other companies like Nantatrade Co Ltd and Siam Panich Ltd Partnership are expected to participate as well.

Requirement for the 4x4 vehicles include having a budget of THB99.99 million (US$3.07 million) for 6 vehicles, or around THB16.65 million (US$512,600) each, can carry a total of 10 crew and passengers, powered by a diesel engine and having a load capacity of 2,000 kilograms.

It shall also have NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection, and V-shape hull with explosion protection meeting STANAG 4569 Level 3b/4a requirements.

Not much details have been made available, but it is expected that the vehicles would be used in support of security operations by the RTN.





[1] AAG_Th Thai Defense Page
[2] Royal Thai Navy

Thailand to acquire 8x8 and 4x4 armored vehicles for naval transport requirements  Thailand to acquire 8x8 and 4x4 armored vehicles for naval transport requirements Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on September 06, 2021 Rating: 5

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