Pakistan Buys 100 ‘First Win’ Armored Vehicles from Thailand

On 18 September, Thailand’s Thai Defence Trade Firm (TDI) signed a memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) involving the sale of 100 Chaiseri First Win 4×4 armoured automobiles to the Pakistan Military (PA). 

In keeping with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the MoU additionally includes a transfer-of-technology (ToT) deal that will see HIT manufacture the First Win 4×4 in Pakistan.

It ought to be famous {that a} business contract has not but been signed, however plainly the MoU finalized phrases. The 2 sides could have left the ultimate signature for an additional occasion, probably a bilateral assembly or a ceremony on the upcoming 2024 Worldwide Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) attributable to happen in Karachi, Pakistan in November.

The Chaiseri First Win 4×4 is an adaptable armoured car able to a number of varieties of missions, together with counterinsurgency (COIN) and counter-terrorism (CT) operations, peacekeeping missions, battlefield logistics, and medical help/evacuation.

Since its introduction in 2010, the Chaiseri First Win 4×4 has developed into plenty of completely different variants, such because the First Win II, First Win Armoured Tactical Automobile (ATV), First Win Armoured Preventing Automobile (AFV), First Win Armoured Mild Automobile (ALV) and others. 

It isn’t recognized which of those variants the PA will purchase. Nonetheless, every variant of the First Win leverages a V-shape monocoque hull for defensibility towards mines and improvised explosive gadgets (IED), a  power-to-weight ratio of 23-27 hp/ton, a capability to hold 10 troopers, and safety degree of STANAG 4569 Degree 4. 

As well as, the First Win will be configured with a spread of weapons and subsystems, akin to (amongst others) a distant weapon system (RWS) and electro-optical (EO) techniques.

In addition to Thailand, the First Win has seen adoption from plenty of regional powers in Southeast Asia, together with Malaysia and Bhutan.

If the MoU is transformed right into a agency contract, the First Win can be HIT’s second gentle armoured car platform, becoming a member of the Dragoon 2 armoured safety car (ASV). As well as, the First Win 4×4 may be HIT’s first mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) system.