South Africa, Thailand Collaborate on Next-Gen Infantry Combat Vehicle
South Africa’s Paramount Group has partnered with Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and local defense and security firm Jatupanas to develop an infantry combat vehicle (ICV).
The entities will collaborate to produce Thailand’s next-generation ICV Mbombe 4, also called the “D-Lion.” in the country.
Once completed, the vehicle will undergo trials led by DTI and the Thai Armed Forces.
During an announcement at Thai Defence and Security 2022, the ICV was handed over to Thai Chief of Defence Forces General Chalermphon Srisawasdi.
Paramount Group Senior Vice President Eric Ichikowitz, South African Defence Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla, DTI Chairman General Porpol Maneerin, and Jatunapas Company Limited CEO Ploynapas Chaiyasree also took part in the ceremony.
“With more than 150 vehicles either being manufactured or on order for delivery or deployment across Africa, Asia, and around the world, this announcement in Thailand is an important next step in the Mbombe’s continued expansion, and a testament to the innovative partnerships that we have fostered to the benefit of our partner nations’ respective defence industrial complexes,” Ichikowitz said.
“We are pleased to say that the Mbombe 4 is ready for production in Thailand as of today,” he added.
The Mbombe 4 ICV
The Mbombe 4 ICV is a proven land vehicle for various missions, including counter-terrorism, combat, and peacekeeping missions.
It features the latest in crew compartment safety, with blast protection developed under NATO benchmarks to match the challenges of modern battlefields, ballistics, and mines.
The Paramount Group has integrated newly-tested add-on armor and a lightweight shielding system to address Level 3 threats according to the NATO STANAG 4569 standard.
The 16-ton (16,000-kilogram) ICV can reach 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and scale gradients at a 60 percent incline and a fording depth of 900 millimeters (3 feet).
The vehicle is compatible with various weapon systems and can carry heavy loads of military supplies.
