Defence Technology Institute (DTI) delivers command vehicle variant of Norinco VN1 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle to Royal Thai Army (RTA) at Cavalry Center, Fort Adisorn, Saraburi province, Thailand on 5 May 2022. The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) is a research and development agency operating as a public organization under the oversight of the Thai Ministry of Defence. Inspection and testing at Tha Muang test range, Kanchanaburi Province on 19 August 2021, DTI has equipped its VN1 command vehicle for RTA’s Cavalry with The New Generation of Battle Management System by Elbit Systems.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces signed a contract to purchase 38 VN-1 IFVs for first batch at the price of US$1.695 million each. The RTA received the first batch of China-made VN-1 wheeled armored vehicles and supporting armored rescue vehicles at the port of Chonburi, Thailand from December 3rd to 5th, 2019. Thailand ordered 37 more vehicles for second batch. The RTA had ordered in 2017 totally 38 VN-1 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and supporting VS27 armored rescue vehicles (ARV) manufactured by the China North Industries Corp (NORINCO), as well as another 41 such vehicles in 2019. The VN-1 was put into service in February 2021 with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
VN-1 is an export variant based on Type 08 infantry fighting vehicle. The Type 08 is a family of eight-wheeled amphibious, modular armored vehicle developed by Norinco for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics and quick reaction operations. The Type 08 has modular design that allows customization of the vehicle based on mission. It is a recent People’s Republic of China produced Infantry fighting vehicle for People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps, Gabonese Army, Nigerian Army, Bolivarian Marine Infantry and Royal Thai Army.
The vehicle consists of six modules: engine module, transmission module, control module, suspension module, hull module, and weapon station module. The vehicle is fitted with digital battlefield management system, satellite navigation system, NBC protection, and automatic fire suppression system. The modular design claims to be able to field variety of different models including an APC model, assault gun, an Engineering model, a 122 mm self propelled howitzer model, a 155 mm self propelled howitzer model, an air defense model, a self-propelled mortar model, a reconnaissance model, a command vehicle model and much more.
