South Korea's Hanwha Finalizes Agreement with DTI and Chaiseri to Develop K200 IFV for the oyal Thai Army

12 Februari 2025

Thai delegation visited Hanwha Aerospace from 5-7 February 2025 (photo: Royal Thai Armed Forces)

Hanwha Aerospace of the Republic of Korea briefed the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) on its various weapons systems during the official visit of General Songwit Noonpakdee, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and the Thai military delegation from 5-7 February 2025.

In addition to the successful products exported to the Royal Thai Navy, the HTMS Bhumibol Dulyadej-class frigates of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) built by Hanwha Ocean, Republic of Korea (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, DSME) are looking to procure a second ship to be built in Thailand.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces Public Relations Center, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, has announced on its official social media channels that Hanwha Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thai Defense Industry Co., Ltd. (TDI) of Thailand to develop an upgraded version of the K200 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for the Royal Thai Army (RTA).

Thai Defense Industry Co., Ltd. (TDI) of Thailand to develop an upgraded version of the K200 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) (photo: RoKArmy)

Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand announced the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Hanwha Ocean, Republic of Korea and TDI Thailand on the development of the modernized K200 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle for the Royal Thai Army and opportunities for export production to other countries, which took place on August 27, 2024, witnessed by Mr. Thani Sangrat, Thai Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

TDI Thailand is a joint venture between the Defence Technology Institute (DTI), an agency of the Thai Ministry of Defence, and Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd., Thailand, with the objective of supporting private sector arms exports to foreign countries in the form of government-to-government agreements.

TDI has successfully obtained a contract to export Chaiseri Thailand's products, the First Win 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle, to many foreign countries in 2024 .

Signing ceremony of the MOU between Hanwha Ocean and TDI Thailand on the development of the modernized K200 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle for the Royal Thai Army and opportunities for export production to other countries, on August 27, 2024 (photo: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The K200 KIFV infantry fighting vehicle is a family of armored personnel carriers (APCs) developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of the Republic of Korea and manufactured by Daewoo Heavy Industries of the Republic of Korea (later Doosan of the Republic of Korea and now Hanwha Aerospace) in production since 1985.

The primary user is the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA), with over 2,500 in various versions ranging from K200A1 APC armored personnel carriers, KM120 120mm and K281 81mm self-propelled mortar launchers, K236 20mm self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and K288 recovery vehicles, with 111 also exported to the Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia) in the 2000s.

In August 2024, Hanwha Aerospace, together with Malaysian company Cendana Auto, was awarded a contract by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence to upgrade the Royal Malaysian Army's K200 IFV, which includes the installation of new day/night vision devices, a new Remote-Control Weapon Station (RCWS), new engines and technology transfer to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center in Malaysia.

(AAG)

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