Which new 8x8 armored vehicles for Thailand PARS VN1 BTR-4E.

Following an exclusive interview of Army Recognition editorial team with international manufacturers of combat vehicles at Defense and Security Exhibition , Thailand is always on the process to acquire new wheeled armoured vehicle. There is three vehicles candidate for this request including the Ukrainian BTR-4E, the Chinese VN1 and the FNSS Turkish PARS.

Scale model of Turkish-made PARS 8x8 armoured vehicle at Defense and Security Thailand 2017 exhibition in Bangkok.

The PARS 8x8 is a wheeled armoured combat vehicle developed, designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company FNSS. PARS is designed not only to have a high level of ballistic and mine resistance, but also carry a variety of weapon stations and provide a high internal volume, which allows for a full complement of infantry soldiers with all of their equipment.

The PARS III 8X8 is the latest generation of wheeled armored combat vehicle in the PARS family designed and developed by the Turkish Company FNSS. The vehicle was unveiled during the Defense Exhibition IDEF in May 2017.

The Turkish-made PARS III 8X8 has been developed with a special emphasis on mobility, protection, payload and growth potential. The vehicles employ the latest designs and technologies with a focus on the performance and durability of modern military operational requirements.

Scale model of Chinese-made VN1 8x8 armoured vehicle at Defense and Security Thailand 2017 exhibition in Bangkok.

In June 2017, Thailand has announced the purchase of 34 VN1 armoured personnel carriers from China worth $68 million. The VN-1 is the export version of ZBL-09 8x8 APC designed and manufactured in China by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO.

China has started to market the VN1 in 2008 and the vehicle was unveiled for the first time to the public in February 2009 during IDEX, the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The VN1 is based on an 8x8 chassis able to be fitted with weapon station up to 105mm cannon or 122mm howitzer. China has started to market the VN1 in 2008 and the vehicle was unveiled for the first time to the public in February 2009 during IDEX, the International Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The VN1 can be fitted with a wide range of turret and weapon station which can be remotely controlled from inside of the vehicle. Armament can include 30mm automatic chain gun, Red Arrow 73 anti-tank guided missile system, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

The hull and the turret of the VN1 is made of high hardness armor steel, which provide a protection against firing of small arms 12.7mm Armour-Piercing Incendiary (API) caliber frontally at 100m, 7.62mm API on the sides at 100m and 7.62mm at the rear.

Ukrainian-made BTR-4E 8x8 armoured vehicle at Defense and Security Thailand 2017 exhibition in Bangkok.

Ukraine and Thailand has cooperate in the past for acquisition of military equipment, including the main battle tanks Oplot and the BTR-3E1 8x8 armoured personnel carrier. According the Ukrainian Defense Industry has reportedly the supply of 233 BTR-3E1s to Thailand as part of a combined $270m contract awarded in 2006 and 2011.

Ukraine was contracted to supply a battalion of 49 T84 Oplot tanks in 2011 but was slow to press ahead with production and delivery due to security problems in the country.

The BTR-4E is the export version of the BTR-4, an 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier (APC) designed by the Ukrainian Company Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. The BTR-4E can be fitted different types of weapon station, but the standard version is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station called BM-3 Shturm which is armed with one ZTM-1 30mm automatic cannon. Second armament of the turret includes one KT or PKT 7.62mm machine gun, one AG-17 30mm automatic grenade launcher mounted to the left side of the main armament.

The BTR-4E hull is protected against firing of small arms 7.62mm AP (Armour Piercing) caliber and artillery shell splinters, Level 2 STANAG 4569.