On December 7, 2022, the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) conducted a test firing of the EOS R150S ultra-light remote weapons systems (RWS) with M2 .50caliber (12.7x99mm) heavy machineguns for D-Lion 4×4 Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) at Thung Prong, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. The test has been conducted a distance of 400 m against static and mobile targets with the vehicle in mobile and static conditions. Colonel Suthep Kheawphakdee, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and his team attended the observations and participated in the test of the turret, which the test results are in accordance with the requirements of the memorandum of agreement on joint research and development of 4×4 wheeled armored vehicles (mine and ambush protection) between DTI and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
DTI D-Lion is a Thai version of the Mbombe 4 mine-resistant armoured fighting vehicle unveiled at the Defense & Security 2022. The Defence Technology Institute has announced a partnership with South Africa firm Paramount Group, Thailand’s defence research and development (R&D) agency, and local partner Jatunapas, one of Thailand’s leading defence and security companies, to produce its advanced Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV), the Mbombe 4, in Thailand. The Mbombe 4 completes the highly advanced Mbombe family of combat vehicles which have been designed to directly address the increasing demand for outstanding protection yet versatility in conventional and asymmetric warfare, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping missions alike. Following assembly of the Mbombe 4 within Thailand, the next generation ICV is to undergo vehicle trials by the Thai Armed Forces and the DTI.
The R150S is the world’s lightest remote weapon system capable of mounting and firing the M2HB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun precisely, on the move, over long range. It is designed by Electro Optic Systems (EOS), as part of a Australian Commonwealth Priority Industry Capability Innovation Proposal to develop the next generation of sovereign remote weapon systems, the R150 has now finalised testing and is due to enter production by the end of 2018. With the high performance EOS sensor unit and the 12.7 mm heavy machine gun mounted, the R150S is a capable surveillance and reconnaissance tool with the benchmark of firepower. With a medium performance sensor unit and a light or medium machine gun, the R150S provides excellent self-defence capabilities for support platforms when mounting a light or medium machine gun. It is possible to configure the R150S with a roof weight of 100kg before adding weapons and ammunition.
The Mbombe 4 shares a ‘conventional’ or ‘in-line’ automotive driveline configuration, positioning the powerpack at the front of the vehicle and along its centre line. Despite such world-class protections, the 16 tonnes Mbombe 4 provides incredible versatility, a burst speed of 140km/hr, the ability able to scale gradients at a 60% incline and a fording depth of up to 900mm, which can be executed without preparation. The platform notably hosts industry-distinct flat floor mine protections and a rear-door ramp design which ensures the rapid deployment of the crew while the vehicle is either static or on the move. The Mbombe 4 can also be equipped with various weapon systems and loaded with ammunition, crew, and supplies.
Manufactured with a distinct clean-sheet design, while equipped with the latest technologies mission-critical to address the challenges of the modern battlefield, the Mbombe 4 provides high degrees of both ballistic and mine protection (e.g., crew compartment STANAG 4569-Level 3, blast protection STANAG 4569-Level 4a & 4b, protections recognised under a NATO standardisation agreement) alongside independently verified protections against a 50kg TNT side blast or roadside bomb. The vehicle’s newly tested and certified add-on armour and lightweight shielding system developed by Paramount Group further increases the Mbombe 4’s protection to cover all Level 3 threats within NATO STANAG 4569.
