Thailand to procure additional 8×8 amphibious vehicles

The AWAV was unveiled by Chaiseri at the Defense & Security show in Bangkok in 2023. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has announced plans to procure an additional tranche of 8×8 Armoured Wheeled Amphibious Vehicles (AWAVs) produced by domestic manufacturer Chaiseri.

An RTN spokesperson said on 27 April that the new contract is valued at THB504 million (USD15.5 million) and represents a follow-on procurement of the AWAV platform.

The spokesperson did not disclose how many vehicles will be acquired under the new contract, which was finalised earlier this month. However, Janes understands that seven vehicles are to be procured.

Under the initial procurement tranche announced in August 2023, Chaiseri supplied seven AWAVs for THB448 million. Delivery of those vehicles was completed in September 2024.

According to the RTN, the new AWAV procurement is intended to enhance the service's amphibious and maritime security capabilities in light of the current security environment.

The RTN added that the requirement reflects the need to operate along Thailand's eastern approaches, protect maritime sovereignty, respond to emerging threats, and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. In 2025, Thailand and Cambodia experienced a series of military clashes along their shared border, including in littoral and maritime areas near the Gulf of Thailand.

The RTN did not disclose which unit will operate the newly procured vehicles. However, the initial AWAV tranche is fielded by the Royal Thai Marine Corps' (RTMC's) Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion based in Sattahip. The battalion also operates US-made AAV7A1 assault amphibious vehicles and Ukrainian-origin BTR 3E1 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles.