TSAMTO, September 27. According to the publication of Thai social networks, the Main Financial and Audit Department (Comptroller General's Department) of the Ministry of Finance of Thailand on September 20 announced the winners of two tenders for the purchase of wheeled armored vehicles for the country's Navy.
According to the Defense Studies resource, citing Thai sources, Panus Assembly Co. with an R600 BBM worth 99.9 million Thai baht ($3.08 million) won the tender for the supply of two floating armored personnel carriers with an 8x8 wheel formula. Chaiseri Metal & Rubber and Preecha Thavorn Industries competed with her for the victory.
In turn, Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. became the winner of the competition for the supply of six multi-purpose armored vehicles with a 4x4 wheel formula to the Thai Navy. It will supply the First Wine BBM to the Thai Navy for the same amount of 99.9 million Thai baht ($3.08 million). Chaiseri Metal & Rubber was also ahead of the companies that claimed the victory, Nuntatrade Co., Ltd and S. Siam Panich.
As reported by TSAMTO, in August, the command of the Thai Navy sent invitations to national companies to participate in tenders for the supply of two armored combat vehicles with an 8x8 wheel formula and six BBM with a 4x4 wheel formula.
Among the requirements for a BBM with an 8x8 wheel formula: a maximum combat weight of 21 tons, equipment with a 600 hp diesel engine, the ability to transport 18 servicemen, including the driver, protection corresponding to STANAG Level.2, a complex of weapons with a 30-mm automatic gun.
A car with a 4x4 wheel formula must provide transportation of a calculation of 10 people, including the driver, or cargo weighing 2 tons. It must be equipped with a diesel engine with a power of at least 295 hp, reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h on the highway, have a power reserve of 650 km, and be transported by air by BTA C-130 "Hercules"aircraft. The protection of the calculation must meet the requirements of STANAG-4569 Level.2, and the armament will be a turret mounted on the roof with a machine gun, up to a multi-barrel 7.62-mm M134.
Judging by the request, the purchased armored vehicles are experimental batches for evaluation (before purchasing a large batch). The delivery time of the equipment is still unknown.
According to available information, the combat weight of the R600 is 25 tons, the length is 8.4 m, the width is 3.2 m, the height is 2.75 m, the ground clearance is 500 mm. The Cummins engine with a capacity of 600 hp, aggregated with a 6-speed Allison 4500 automatic transmission, allows you to reach a maximum speed of 110 km / h. The power reserve is 800 km. The machine is floating and thanks to two water-jet propellers installed in the aft part of the hull, it develops a speed of up to 14 km / h on the water. In the BMP version, the vehicle provides transportation of 2 crew members and 20 landing troops. According to the developers, the level of protection meets the requirements of STANAG-4569 Level.2 (optional Level. 3).