Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd. has completed the delivery of seven 8×8 Armoured Wheeled Amphibious Vehicles (AWAV) to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) on September 20, 2024. The ceremony, led by Admiral Adung Phuniam, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, was a testament to the country’s efforts to bolster its amphibious warfare and transport capabilities, specifically through locally developed technology. Chaiseri, a leading Thai defense manufacturer with over 55 years of experience, has emerged as a critical player in supplying advanced military equipment to the Royal Thai Armed Forces. These seven AWAV units, designed to meet the specific requirements of the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), are tailored for amphibious operations and multipurpose transport roles both on land and at sea. This delivery is part of a broader defense procurement strategy by Thailand’s Ministry of Defense, aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and mobility of the nation’s amphibious forces.
The AWAV 8×8 is a highly capable, modern design specifically built for extreme operational environments. With dimensions of 9.2 meters in length, 3.1 meters in width, and 3 meters in height, it is a large and imposing vehicle weighing 23.2 tonnes. Powered by a 711-horsepower diesel engine, the AWAV can reach speeds of up to 105 kilometers per hour on land, while in water, it can cruise at 10 kilometers per hour. The vehicle’s impressive range of 600 kilometers on land ensures that it can support long-range missions and extended operations. The AWAV can carry up to 11 fully equipped personnel, along with three crew members—a driver, commander, and gunner. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Guardian 1.5 Remote Weapon Station (RWS) developed by Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E) of Spain, the vehicle is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 76mm smoke grenade launcher, providing formidable firepower. The RWS offers remote operation, increasing the safety and efficiency of the crew during combat. The AWAV’s ballistic protection features include large-caliber ballistic glass for enhanced driver visibility in challenging terrains and high-threat environments, whether on land or at sea.
The contract, announced on August 3, 2023, with a budget of 448 million baht (approximately $12.9 million), was awarded to Chaiseri under a competitive procurement process. The contract stipulated that the development, testing, and delivery of the vehicles be completed within one year, which Chaiseri successfully achieved. These vehicles have been specifically designed with adaptations based on operational feedback from their prototype models, which were first showcased at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition held in Bangkok. The AWAV 8x8s will complement the RTMC’s current fleet, including the AAV7A1 RAM/RS amphibious vehicles, which are also undergoing modernization. These new AWAVs are expected to serve alongside other amphibious platforms, such as the VN16 Amphibious Assault Vehicle and the AAVP7A1, providing the RTMC with a versatile and highly capable amphibious assault force. They will also operate from the Royal Thai Navy’s landing platform docks (LPD), including the HTMS Angthong and HTMS Chang, expanding the Navy’s ability to deploy amphibious forces rapidly in maritime and coastal defense missions.
The successful delivery of the AWAV 8x8s underscores Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd.’s growing role as a key contributor to Thailand’s defense industry. With over half a century of expertise in developing military vehicles, Chaiseri has become a vital player in the production of armored vehicles for both domestic use and export. The company’s long-standing partnership with the Royal Thai Armed Forces has helped shape Thailand’s indigenous defense capabilities, providing advanced and cost-effective solutions tailored to the country’s unique security needs. This collaboration between Chaiseri and the Ministry of Defense aligns with Thailand’s broader strategy of self-reliance in defense production. By building vehicles like the AWAV 8×8 domestically, Thailand reduces its dependency on foreign suppliers while fostering the growth of its defense industry. This initiative is also seen as a step towards increasing Thailand’s export potential for military vehicles, enhancing the country’s standing in the global defense market.
