Panus Reveals R600 8x8 Amphibious Armored Vehicle for the Royal Thai Marine Corps

04 Januari 2022

Photo revealed new modified R600 8x8 wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) by Panus Assembly Co.,Ltd. at company facility in Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province, Thailand.

understand that it is Eight-wheel drive (8x8) Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier prototype for Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), Royal Thai Navy (RTN) requirement (all photos : Panus Assembly)

Picture published in the facebook page of Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. Thailand on December 10, 2021 and Trans Time News, news media in the transport sector and Thai logistics on December 18, 2021.

Shows a picture of what is probably the R600 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle that has been modified according to the needs of 2 wheeled armored vehicles (8x8) for the Royal Thai Marine Corps of The Royal Thai Navy.

Thai Panus Assembly Company won the project to purchase 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored vehicles by selection method, amount 99,900,000 baht ($3,080,387) per unit price. 49,95 million baht ($1,540,240) of the Royal Thai Navy on September 20, 2021 as announced in the government procurement system, the Comptroller General's Department, Ministry of Finance.

The latest set of photos of the R600 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle that are understood to have been taken at the Panus factory in Phanat Nikhom district, Chonburi Province, Thailand During December 2021, there is a difference from the prototype car that has been displayed to the public and received very few demonstration tests for the military.

A significant change, as seen from the outside, is the addition of an actuated bow flap, which extends in length from the pre-installed, slide-up visor. Down (slide bow flap) single layer reinforced double folded design. At the rear of the car, the propulsion system while moving in the water, a Water jet on both sides of the car has been added to the front grille of the understanding that to increase efficiency. And field technician tools, including shovels, crowbars and axes, are mounted on the left side of the car.

There are no recent photos showing the interior of the car whether it has changed or not. It is understood that this latest modification could be both a modification to the original prototype that was launched since the year 2019 or is the creation of another prototype.

By defining the scope of work (TOR: Terms of Reference) for the project of armored vehicle (8x8) wheeled personnel carriers of the Royal Thai Navy matches the R600A 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle for the Thai Marines of Panus Company.

R600 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle and AFV-420P Mosquito 4x4 (Armoured Fighting Vehicle-420 Panus), the products of Thailand company's Panus Assembly Co.,Ltd (photo : Panus Assembly)

R600A 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored vehicle for Thai marines It has a vehicle weight of 18tons, reducing the weight of armor from the use of a single-layer hull. Equipped with a US 600HP Cummins diesel engine and an Automatic Transmission Gear 6-Speed ​​Allison 4500 US powertrain.

Speed ​​on roads up to 110km/h, speed while moving in water up to 14km/h, operating distance 800km, cross obstacles up to 0.6m, climb 40% incline, 60% climb high inclines, 2 crew members ( commander/gunner and driver) carry up to 20 soldiers with the vehicle.

The project TOR also details weapon system options that can be mounted from 12.7mm and 7.62mm automatic turrets, such as the Turkish ASELSAN SARP turret mounted to the Panus AFV-420P Mosquito 4x4 wheeled vehicle and a 30mm automatic turret, Panus plans to equip the R600 wheeled vehicle with the Turkish ASELSAN NEFER 30mm turret, including other types of weapons in the future. 

(AAG)