DTI Thailand Launches the D-Lion 4x4 MRAP that is Researched and Developed with the Private Sector

26 Mei 2022

D-Lion MRAP vehicle based on Paramount Mbombe (all photos : DTI Thailand)

On February 10, 2021, the Defense Technology Institute, DTI, and the International Counter Terrorism Operations Center, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, Royal Thai Armed Forces, TAT jointly signed a research memorandum. and jointly developed a prototype vehicle for service in the Thai Army.

It consists of MRAP 4x4 mine-proof and ambush armored vehicles, 4x4 reconnaissance vehicles and 4x2 reconnaissance vehicles. From the background illustration during the ceremony, it shows a new South African Mbombe 4 4x4 mine-proof armored vehicle (All-New).

Watching the demonstration of the performance of the latest D-Lion 4x4 armored vehicle shows that DTI has cooperation with the Thai and foreign private sectors in the research and development of anti-mine and ambush armored vehicles in order to continue to be able to enter the Thai defense industry.

DTI's research and development of vehicles in the past has been in collaboration with many Thai private companies, such as the Black Widow Spider 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle with Preecha Thavorn Industry, Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (AAPC) 8x8 for the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC: Royal Thai Marine Corps) and Cho Thavee Public Company Limited (CHOTHAVEE PLC) Thailand and a project for development, improvement and maintenance of a prototype amphibious combat vehicle (AAV) type AAVP7A1 with Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co., Ltd. (Chaiseri metal & rubber Co. Ltd.) Thailand, etc.

Since its debut at the IDEX 2019 International Armament Show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, South Africa's Paramount Group has said: More than 150 Mbombe 4 armored vehicles have been exported to customers in five countries around the world, with production lines in Africa and Asia. For example, India, manufactured locally by Bharat Forge, a subsidiary of Kalyani Group, is called the Kalyani M4 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle and received an undisclosed amount ordered by the Indian Ministry of Defense in February 2021 for 1.78 billion Indian Rupee ( $24.5 million) including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Therefore, it is understood that if the research and development is successful, JATUNAPAS Company, which operates the business of repairing motor vehicles and motorcycles and wholesales weapons to government agencies will receive a patent for the production of Mbombe 4 wheeled armored vehicle named D-Lion in Thailand, the same model as India.

Mbombe 4 wheeled armored vehicle equipped with a six-cylinder Turbo Diesel engine, maximum speed 140km/h, vehicle weight 16tonnes, payload 2.7tonnes, STANAG 4569 Level 3 bulletproof armor, STANAG 4569 Level 4a and 4b TNT explosion protection 50kg can compared to Chaiseri Thai's First Win 4x4 armored vehicle that has been ordered in large quantities by the Thai Army Royal Thai Police Thai security agency and abroad. The First Win 4x4 wheeled vehicle has STANAG 4569 Level 2 bulletproof armor and STANAG 4569 Level 3b and 4a explosion protection.

The DTI D-Lion 4x4 wheeled vehicle offers a higher level of protection for the needs of special operations counter-terrorism.

(AAG)