IndoDefence 2025: IKN bets on Thailand's First Win AFV armored fighting vehicle to strengthen Indonesia’s armored fleet.

At the IndoDefence 2025 exhibition, Indonesian company PT Industri Ketahanan Nasional (IKN) presents the First Win Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV), developed in collaboration with Thailand’s Chaiseri. The vehicle is currently under prototype production in Indonesia, with the certification process ongoing at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia. Prior to this event, on January 13, 2025, the Indonesian Defense Attaché visited Chaiseri’s facility in Thailand, where the First Win AFV was shown to the Indonesian delegation as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral defense cooperation.
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The First Win AFV, a third-generation model in the First Win family, features a remote weapon station equipped with a 30 mm M230 automatic cannon. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

During the January meeting, Chaiseri expressed its intention to pursue strategic collaboration with Indonesia, specifically through cooperation with PT Pindad. The company proposed technology transfer initiatives, joint development of military vehicles, and the deployment of Thai experts to provide technical training in Indonesia. Chaiseri CEO Karn Koolhiran described the meeting as a step forward in advancing cooperation between the parties. The collaboration encompasses the ongoing prototype production of the First Win AFV in Indonesia by PT Industri Ketahanan Nasional (IKN), with the aim of securing certification from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. This aligns with Chaiseri’s regional engagement ambitions and Indonesia’s goal of strengthening its domestic defense industrial base.

The First Win AFV is a third-generation model in the First Win family, developed as a 4×4 or optionally 4×2 armored vehicle featuring a mine-protected monocoque hull. The design eliminates the traditional chassis frame to optimize structural rigidity and weight distribution. It is powered by a front-mounted Cummins ISB engine producing at least 330 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain includes permanent four-wheel drive, selectable front and rear axle differential locks, and a two-speed transfer case. The suspension system is an independent heavy-duty type, and the platform can be configured for up to nine occupants, with space available for mission-specific systems based on user requirements.

The First Win AFV presented by IKN measures approximately 6.3 meters in length, 2.6 meters in width, and 2.6 meters in height, with a ground clearance of 480 millimeters. It features a wheelbase of 3.5 meters, a curb weight of around 13,500 kilograms, and a gross weight of approximately 18,000 kilograms, with a payload capacity of up to 1,500 kilograms. The vehicle reaches a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour, has a combat range of 800 kilometers, and is capable of negotiating a 60 percent gradient, 30 percent side slope, vertical obstacles up to 500 millimeters, and fording depths of up to 1,200 millimeters. It includes a run-flat system for continued operation up to 50 kilometers after tire damage, a self-recovery winch, and an automatic fire suppression system.

The armament configuration features a remote weapon station equipped with a 30 mm M230 automatic cannon. The system includes two-axis gyroscopic stabilization, 360-degree electrical traverse, and automatic target tracking in accordance with MIL-STD-1275B standards. Targeting capabilities are enhanced by an integrated thermal camera, day cameras with both wide and narrow fields of view, and a laser rangefinder. Optional systems include a central tire inflation system (CTIS), thermal night driving capability, acoustic awareness sensors, a laser warning system, a tactical intercom, GPS navigation, and a digital compass. These components are designed to enhance target engagement, situational awareness, and operational adaptability across diverse environments.

The First Win AFV can withstand blasts from up to 8 kilograms of TNT under the hull and up to 10 kilograms under the wheels. Ballistic protection conforms to STANAG 4569 Level 3 at the front and Level 2 at the sides, with options for additional upgrades. The vehicle is currently in service with both the Royal Thai Army and the Ministry of Justice of Thailand. Its interior accommodates a driver and up to ten personnel, with options for integrating various weapons, including machine guns and grenade launchers. It is promoted as a multipurpose platform suitable for roles such as troop transport, security operations, and patrol missions, depending on user-specific configuration and systems integration.

Chaiseri, established in 1969, has developed a broad portfolio of defense products, including tracked vehicle components such as idler wheels, sprocket rings, track shoes, and support rollers, alongside run-flat systems and wheeled armored vehicles. The company supplies the Royal Thai Army and Navy and has exported systems and components to over 35 countries across six continents. Chaiseri continues its international outreach through exhibitions such as DSA 2024, where the First Win AFV was also presented, and through regional partnerships, including its current initiative with IKN and PT Pindad. These efforts form part of a wider strategy to expand industrial cooperation within Southeast Asia’s defense sector.