Thailand awards $12 Million contract for new amphibious vehicles.

On August 3, 2023, Chaiseri Defense, a Thai defense company, has been selected as the winner of a competitive procurement process initiated by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The procurement, valued around 448 million baht ($12,918,115), was announced through the Thai Government Procurement System and involves the acquisition of seven 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carriers (AAPCs) to address the operational needs of the RTN.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Royal Thai Marine Corps already operates amphibious assault vehicles like this AAV7A1 RAM/RS (Picture source US DoD)

Through the competitive evaluation, Chaiseri's proposal emerged as the selected option. The evaluation encompassed a range of design considerations, including the R600 8x8 by Panus Assembly Co., Ltd., and the Ministry of Defense of Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (AAPC) 8x8 "Sea Tiger."

The Naval Acquisition Management Office (NAMO) of the Royal Thai Navy initiated this procurement of seven new 8x8 armored personnel carriers. While specific details of the procurement process are not publicly disclosed, it is believed to follow a framework similar to the previous procurement program involving the Panus R600 in 2021.

As of now, detailed specifications and prototypes of the new 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carriers by Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Co., Ltd have not been publicly disclosed. The 8x8 amphibious armored personnel carriers are expected to offer enhanced operational capabilities, allowing for operation on both land and in water.

These AAPCs could potentially be part of the new 8x8 Amphibious Armored Vehicle Project, an initiative aimed at developing advanced armored vehicles with amphibious capabilities. This project aligns with the Royal Thai Navy's ongoing efforts to modernize and prepare for potential maritime challenges.

With an operational history spanning over four decades, Chaiseri Defense has established considerable competence in the refurbishment and enhancement of military vehicles, leading to the extension of the service life of more than 2,000 military vehicles. Their expertise encompasses a range of vehicle types, including M113, AAVP7A1, and HMMWV, among others. Apart from offering comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for complete vehicles, Chaiseri Defense has also undertaken the upgrading of subsystems, such as the M60 engine, M109 Howitzer engine, and M113 power-pack.