Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Company, the Thai developer and manufacturer of the First Win 4×4 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, is accumulating its first overseas sales.
Next year the Philippines will take delivery of a left-hand-drive version of the 11t First Win, with this unit to be dedicated to airport security usage at Clark Airport north of Manila, Chaiseri representative Daniel Ilagan told Shephard.
This left-hand-drive vehicle was exhibited at Defence & Security 2015 in Bangkok, as was a version for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). Although manufactured in Thailand by Chaiseri, the latter will wear a Deftech badge, with the Malaysian partner responsible for maintenance and support of the fleet.
DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies (Deftech) is calling the vehicle AV4, and the rebadging appears to be an attempt to deflect adverse public reaction to Malaysia purchasing a vehicle built in neighbouring Thailand. Chaiseri modified the body of the AV4 to give it a 2+1 door configuration instead of the First Win’s usual 4+1 doors.
- Malaysia Sign the Contract Procurement of 20 AV-4 First Win 4×4
- Thai Police Department of Special Investigation receives first batch of First Win 4×4