RTMC's D-Tiger 4x4 Participated in the CALFEX Cobra Gold 2026

09 Februari 2026

CALFEX) involved RTMC, RTN and RTAF; USMC; and RoKMC at Naval Training Field no. 16, Ban Chanthakhlem, Chanthaburi province as parts of the exercise Cobra Gold 2026 (photos: RTMC)

The Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) of the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was held at Naval Training Ground No. 16, Ban Chanthakhelam, Khao Khitchakut District, Chanthaburi Province on March 6, 2026. 

This is part of the international joint exercise Cobra Gold 2026, held from February 24 to March 6, 2026, following the Amphibious Exercise (AMPHIBEX) at Naval Training Ground No. 15 (Haad Yao), Sattahip District, Chonburi Province, on February 26, 2026.

The CALFEX (Live-Fire Exercise) tactical training during the Cobra Gold 2026 joint exercise at Naval Training Ground No. 16, Ban Chanthakhelam, showcased the D-Tiger 4x4 multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicle, which the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand delivered to the Royal Thai Marine Corps for trial on January 29, 2026.

A tactical exercise involving live firing of a Guardian 1.5 remote weapon station (RWS) manufactured by Escribano Mechanical and Engineering (EM&E) of Spain, mounted with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, was conducted in conjunction with HMMWV 4x4 tank trucks of the Marine Tank Battalion, Marine Division, which were equipped with M2 .50 caliber heavy machine guns and M60 7.62mm machine guns.

The D-Tiger 4x4 multi-purpose wheeled armored vehicle is based on the First Win MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle, a product of Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd. of Thailand, manufactured under the name of Thai Defense Industry Co., Ltd. (TDI), a joint venture between the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand and Chaiseri of Thailand.

Other Chaiseri Thailand products used by the Royal Thai Marine Corps participating in the CALFEX live-fire exercise and the Cobra Gold 2026 joint exercise include the V-150 wheeled armored vehicles of the Marine Tank Battalion and the AAV7A1 amphibious vehicles of the Marine Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion, all modernized by Chaiseri Thailand.

 

This included the M758 ATMG 155mm wheeled self-propelled artillery of the Marine Artillery Regiment, as well as participation from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which deployed F-16A fighter jets from Squadron 103, Wing 1, Korat, dropping two 500-lb Mk82 multi-role bombs in the training area for the first time, along with forces from the US Marine Corps (USMC).

Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) brought in the KAAV amphibious vehicle, and for the first time, the K30W Cheonho 8x8 wheeled self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, for live firing exercises against air threats using simulated flying targets. Similarly, the AT-1K Raybolt anti-tank missile demonstrated the use of domestically developed weapons from both Thailand and the Republic of Korea in real-world training.

(AAG)