The vehicles passed a series of tests conducted by the Royal Thai Navy and were deployed to the RTMC’s Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion in Sattahip, about 116 miles (187 kilometers) away from Bangkok. 

This delivery is part of the 448 million Thai baht ($13.5 million) contract signed in August 2023 for the vehicle’s development, construction, testing, and delivery scheduled within one year. 

Chaiseri AWAVs

Powered by a 711 hp engine, the amphibious vehicle has a maximum speed of 105 kilometers (65.2 miles) per hour on land and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour on water, with a combat range of 600 kilometers (372.8 miles). 

Each AWAV is equipped with the Spanish company Escribano Mechanical & Engineering’s Guardian 1.5 Remote Weapon Station, which operates a 12.7 mm machine gun.

Additionally, it has 76 mm smoke grenade launchers as secondary armaments. 

It has a ballistic protection level of STANAG 4569 Level 3 and Level 3a/3b for mine protection to withstand threats in hostile environments. 

Each AWAV is 9.2 meters long (30.2 feet), 3 meters tall (9.8 feet), 3.1 meters wide (10.2 feet), and around 25.7 tons.

It can carry 11 troops, plus a crew of three comprising a gunner, commander, and driver.

The vehicles were developed based on the prototype model unveiled at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition in Bangkok and will serve in the RTMC’s current fleet together with its other amphibious platforms. 

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The LCAC 110’s arrival follows the completion of its acceptance trials under the naval inspection and survey authority, which validated the hovercraft’s capability and readiness.

Once operational, the ship will be used for amphibious troop landing and deployment as well as logistical support.

“This new craft will provide the Navy and Marine Corps team with unparalleled capability in amphibious warfare, ensuring we remain agile and responsive to emerging threats and global challenges,” US Navy Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs Manager Capt. Jason Grabelle stated.

“The introduction of LCAC 110 into our fleet marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance operational readiness.”

Upgrading LCAC Fleet

The navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector expansion effort is part of the US Department of Defense’s objective to replace the country’s older LCACs, operational since the late 1980s.

The new platforms have improved functions, faster transport features, and modern weapon systems.

Textron accepted the initial $213-million contract in 2012 to initiate the Ship-to-Shore Connector production at its center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 2020, the firm received a follow-on agreement to manufacture 15 additional vessels for the program.

Currently, Textron is engaged in the serial production of LCAC 111 to 123.

The Ship-to-Shore Connector

The US Navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector measures 92 feet (28 meters) and has a 48-foot (14.6-meter) beam.

It is operated by a crew of four, including a pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster, and engineer, while its 1,608-square-foot (149 square meters) deck can accommodate up to 74 tons of payload.

The hovercraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines that are derivatives of engines installed in Bell V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for a top speed of 35 knots (65 kilometers/40 miles per hour).

The boat can be armed with naval gun mounts, machine guns, and grenade launchers,

The post Textron Hands Over Latest Ship-to-Shore Hovercraft to US Navy appeared first on The Defense Post.

Revealed by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, the package includes technical maintenance, associated equipment, and training services.

Ukraine’s upcoming fleet was used by the Netherlands Marine Corps for personnel and medical transport across austere environments.

Amsterdam noted that the platforms can also be deployed as command vehicles or mobile fire support.

“With a front and rear carriage and coupled steering mechanism, the Viking effortlessly lands on the beach from a landing craft,” the Dutch Ministry of Defence wrote in a press release.

“The vehicle is armored, which provides additional protection against enemy fire. The Viking can operate in the most diverse weather conditions.”

Following the donation to Ukraine, the Dutch Marine Corps’ Viking systems will be replaced by the incoming 124 tracked vehicles planned in 2020 as well as 179 small all-terrain patrol vehicles announced in 2021.

Distribution of the approximately 250-million-euro ($276.4-million) tracked fleet is scheduled from 2024 to 2027, while the patrol systems are expected to arrive next year until 2028.

Oekraïne heeft onze hulp hard nodig in het gevecht tegen de Russische agressor.

Nederland levert nu 28 Viking rupsvoertuigen. Het Korps Mariniers heeft hiervoor de Oekraïense militairen getraind.

Onze steun aan Oekraïne blijft doorgaan om Rusland op afstand te houden. pic.twitter.com/58jz5pvWAF

— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) August 31, 2024

All-Terrain System

The Viking or BvS10 vehicle was first introduced by Swedish defense contractor BAE Systems Hägglunds in the early 2000s for the British Royal Marines, with its maiden deployment being in Afghanistan in 2006.

It was offered in different variants, including the unarmored Beowulf, and has undergone multiple upgrades since its launch.

Alongside Sweden, the UK, and the Netherlands, the all-terrain system has served under the Austrian, French, German, and US armed forces.

The Viking

BAE’s Viking measures 8 meters (26.2 feet) long and weighs about 5 tons.

It incorporates a front and rear car that can accommodate up to 12 passengers in total, while its chassis is covered with NATO standard armor against small arms fire and artillery.

The vehicle is equipped with a Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine and an Allison six-speed automatic transmission for a top speed of 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) per hour and a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles).

It can carry 5.56 to 12.7-millimeter machine guns, a 40-millimeter automatic grenade launcher, mortars, and smoke grenades.

The post Ukraine to Receive Viking Amphibious Vehicles From the Netherlands appeared first on The Defense Post.

Held at the Polloc Port in Maguindanao del Norte, the ceremony welcomed three Commando V-300 armored personnel carriers, a V-300 fire support platform, and two V-150 anti-tank vehicles.

The service also accepted two 105-millimeter howitzers, two 155-millimeter howitzers, two small riverine craft, a Kia Light Tactical Vehicle, and a small drone.

They were accepted in partnership with the Maguindanao-based Philippine Army 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division.

“The assets of the 1st Marine Brigade being deployed in [Joint Task Force Central] strengthens our shared commitment to maintaining peace and security throughout our joint operational area,” Kampilan Division Commander Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete remarked during the event.

“Given the challenging security environment in Central Mindanao, your expertise and capabilities are more than just an asset, they are essential to the unit’s success.”

Bolstering Southern Region Operations

The army said that the new fleet will be distributed to the 1st Marine Brigade, which conducts missions across the Muslim-governed autonomous region in southeastern Mindanao.

Once operational, the capabilities will be leveraged to improve the service’s interoperability, proficiency, and rapid response functions.

“The arrival of these new and advanced military assets strengthens our ability to safeguard the security of the communities and maritime domains under our jurisdiction,” 1st Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado II explained.

“This is our contribution to fulfilling the security requirements of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

The Cadillac Gage Commando

Developed by Cadillac Gage, the Commando vehicle was originally designed to support amphibious deployments under the US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army Military Police Corps during the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

Allied forces under the Southeast Asian country’s military also utilized the system to deter adversaries during the conflict.

The Commando has been offered in multiple iterations since its introduction until the 2000s.

Depending on its variant, the platform measures 5.7 to 6.1 meters (18.6 to 20 feet) long and can accommodate up to nine personnel.

It is equipped with a cannon, autocannon, a 7.62-millimeter machine gun, and smoke grenade launchers.

The vehicle is powered by a Chrysler petrol engine with 210 horsepower for a top speed of 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour and a range of 644 kilometers (400 miles).

Its latest variant, the V-300, has a 6×6 configuration and diesel turbo propulsion for enhanced range and speed. It was later upgraded to the V-600 to accommodate heavier weapons.

The post Philippine Marine Corps Accepts Commando Armored Vehicles, Howitzers appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Volvo vehicles were bought in Norway and delivered by the Embassy of Ukraine in Norway with the help of the Latvian volunteer organization SOS Aid to the Army of Ukraine.

“All-terrain vehicles are designed for the transportation of personnel and equipment in snowy conditions and swampy terrain. The Bv202 can transport 10 soldiers and up to one ton of cargo,” the diplomatic mission said.

Previous Donation

Last year also, Ukraine received about a dozen Bv202s through donations. 

The vehicles were adapted for medical evacuation and deployed on front lines where civilian vehicles are difficult to use.

Bandvagn 202

Developed by Volvo subsidiary Bolinder-Munktell, the Bandvagn 202 is designed for snowy and swampy terrain.

It can move at up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) per hour on land and 7 kilometers (4 miles) per hour on water.

The front houses the driver and the commander, while the second compartment can accommodate up to 10 soldiers.

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