Panus unveils modified R600 8x8 Amphibious IFV for Royal Thai Marines.

Army Recognition reported the unveiling of Thai company Panus' R600 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle at Defense & Security Thailand 2019. Defense Studies provides information and pictures published by the manufacturer on December 10, 2021, of a modified version of this vehicle designed for the Royal Thai Marines.
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Prototype of the modified Panus R600 8x8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) at the company's facility in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province, Thailand. (Picture source: Panus Assembly)

On September 20, 2021, Thai Panus Assembly Company won the project to purchase 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored vehicles by selection method, amount 99,900,000 baht ($3,080,387) per unit price. 49,95 million baht ($1,540,240) of the Royal Thai Navy as announced in the government procurement system, the Comptroller General's Department, Ministry of Finance.

As written by Defense Studies, from the latest set of photos of the R600 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle that are understood to have been taken at the Panus factory in Phanat Nikhom district, Chonburi Province in December 2021, some changes have been made from the prototype that had been unveiled to the public in 2019. A significant change, as seen from the outside, is the addition of an actuated bow flap, which extends in length from the pre-installed, slide-up visor. Down (slide bow flap) single layer reinforced double-folded design. At the rear of the vehicle, both water jet systems have been modified to increase their efficiency. And pioneer tools, including shovels, crowbars and axes, are now mounted on the left side of the vehicle. There are no recent photos showing the interior of the vehicle that could indicate whether it has changed or not.

Prototype of the Panus R600 unveiled at Defense & Security Thailand 2019. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The 18-ton R600A benefits from a weight reduction of its armor thanks to the use of a single-layer hull. Equipped with a 600hp Cummins diesel engine and an Allison 4500 6-speed automatic transmission, it can reach 110km/h on-road, or 14km/h on water, with an operational range of 800km. It can cross obstacles of up to 0.6m, drive on a 40% side slope, climb a 60% slope. On top of its 2 crew members (commander/gunner and driver), it can carry up to 20 soldiers.

The terms of reference for this project detail the armament options: from 12.7mm and 7.62mm turrets, such as the Turkish ASELSAN SARP turret mounted to the Panus AFV-420P Mosquito 4x4, up to a 30mm automatic gun. Panus plans to equip the R600 wheeled vehicle with the Turkish ASELSAN NEFER 30mm turret, including other types of weapons in the future, Defense Studies reports.

Panus R600 and Panus AFV-420P Mosquito (Picture source: Panus Assembly)

Panus AFV-420P Mosquito unveiled at Defense & Security Thailand. 2019 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Panus AVP-420P Mosquito (Picture source: Panus Assembly)