Thailand progresses 4×4 vehicle plan

Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI) – a research and development (R&D) entity under the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) – has signed an agreement with the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) to develop a 4×4 tactical vehicle and related variants.

Under the new memorandum of understanding (MOU) the DTI will partner the RTARF’s counter-terrorist operations centre in developing a prototype platform alongside a private-sector firm from either Thailand or overseas.

The developed vehicle will be operated initially in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism roles, although opportunities for other military applications are thought to exist. Initial vehicle variants are expected to include a 4×4 armoured vehicle, mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle, and a reconnaissance vehicle.

Industry partners will be selected to enter a joint venture (JV) with the DTI.

Local firms with related capabilities include Panus Assembly, which has previously developed 4×4 tactical vehicle prototypes for the Thai military, and Chaiseri, which has previously supplied its First Win 4×4 armoured multipurpose vehicles to the RTARF and Thailand’s security agencies. Chaiseri has also exported a version of the First Win to Malaysia.

Prominent suppliers of military vehicles to Thailand in the past decade have included China, South Africa, the United States, and Ukraine. Companies from these countries are similarly expected to bid to partner on the 4×4 project possibly alongside firms from India, Russia, and South Korea.

In addition to the proposed 4×4 tactical vehicle, the DTI is looking to establish three other JVs with foreign or local industry partners in areas including offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and firearms and related ammunition.