Defense & Security 2022: Thailand unveils D-Tiger 4×4 tactical vehicle

The 4×4 D-Tiger tactical vehicle, promoted by Thai Defense Industry company at Defense & Security 2022 in Bangkok. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

Thailand's Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and private-sector firm Chaiseri have jointly developed a new 4×4 tactical vehicle named D-Tiger.

The 12-tonne vehicle, which is based on Chaiseri's First Win multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), was unveiled at the opening day of the Defense & Security 2022 show in Bangkok on 29 August.

A DTI spokesperson told Janes that the D-Tiger is the first vehicle to have been developed by the Thai Defense Industry (TDI) company, a joint venture (JV) firm established by DTI and Chaiseri earlier in 2022.

He said the D-Tiger prototype is positioned for both the Royal Thai Armed Forces and for export customers, especially those in Southeast Asia.

The D-Tiger is visually similar to the First Win MPV, although its specifications differ from the baseline version of the latter vehicle. The DTI spokesperson said the D-Tiger also incorporates more locally developed technologies and components and is being developed to meet several mission requirements, including command-and-control and infantry fighting operations.

He said the new JV will also seek to leverage the DTI's position as a government agency in pursuing new contracts in both Thailand and overseas. The DTI is a body under the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The prototype D-Tiger is powered by a Cummins 300 hp engine, which enables a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Its length is 6 m, its width is 2.66 m, and its height is 2.53 m without turret. Similar to the First Win, the D-Tiger is built on a V-shaped monocoque hull that is built from welded steel.