The Philippine Navy Selected Chaiseri AWAV 8x8 for its Marine Corps

03 Juli 2026

Chaiseri AWAV 8x8 armored vehicle (photo: TNNTech)

On June 30, the Philippine Navy announced the selection of the AWAV 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored vehicle from Chaiseri Corporation of Thailand for deployment in its Marine Corps.

This project is part of the Philippine Armed Forces modernization plan, focusing on amphibious assault capabilities for the Marine Corps. The use of wheeled armored vehicles capable of operating both on land and at sea is crucial for transporting personnel from landing craft to shore, a key mission for maintaining security in the Philippines, which comprises numerous islands and maritime territories.

This first phase of the procurement includes five AWAV 8x8 vehicles, scheduled for delivery by 2027. The Philippine Navy is the second user of this vehicle model, after the Royal Thai Navy's Marine Corps, and the first foreign user of the AWAV 8x8.

The AWAV 8x8 armored vehicle is manufactured by Chaiseri Corporation. Manufactured to meet the demand for wheeled armored vehicles capable of performing modern missions both on land and in water, these vehicles boast high mobility, robust armor protection, and an automated turret weapon system. They can reach speeds of 105 kilometers per hour on land and 10 kilometers per hour in the sea using a waterjet engine, with a crew of 14.

The Royal Thai Navy has already acquired 14 AWAV 8x8 vehicles under two contracts. The first batch of 7 vehicles has passed testing, entered service, and commenced operations to protect Thailand's borders amidst conflict in the eastern region, proving the vehicle's capability in real-world missions.

The Philippine Navy's order further reinforces the capabilities of Thailand's defense industry in the field of military vehicles, which has been recognized in numerous procurement projects with foreign armed forces.

(DefenseInfoTH)