Thailand plans third batch of Chaiseri amphibious vehicles

A Royal Thai Marine Corps Chaiseri 8×8 AWAV. The Royal Thai Navy is progressing the acquisition of additional vehicles. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) plans to procure a third batch of seven Chaiseri 8×8 Armoured Wheeled Amphibious Vehicles (AWAVs), increasing the number of vehicles ordered by the service to 21.

In a procurement plan published on 24 September, the RTN said the new order is valued at THB504 million (USD15 million).

It follows two previous orders for seven AWAVs each. An initial THB448 million contract was awarded in August 2023, with the vehicles delivered to the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) in September 2024.

A second acquisition, also covering seven vehicles, was initiated in February 2026 with a budget of THB504 million. The total requirement is understood by Janes to be 36 vehicles.

The AWAVs delivered so far are deployed with the RTMC's Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion in Sattahip. The battalion also operates US-made AAV7A1 assault amphibious vehicles and Ukrainian-origin BTR-3E1 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles.

Chaiseri unveiled the AWAV at the Defense & Security exhibition in Bangkok in 2023 following development of the vehicle in collaboration with the RTMC. The AWAV is Chaiseri's first 8×8 military vehicle.

According to Chaiseri, the AWAV measures 9.2 m in length, 3.1 m in width, and 3 m in height, with a gross weight of approximately 25.7 tonnes. Powered by a 711 hp engine, the vehicle has a top speed of 105 km/h on land and 10 km/h in water, and a range of 600 km.

The vehicle can carry 11 troops in addition to a three-person crew comprising a driver, commander, and gunner. Its baseline configuration provides STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection and Level 3a/3b mine protection.