Thailand's Royal Air Force has refuted the claim that a Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down by the Cambodian air defense forces using the Chinese-made KS-1C, Kaitian air defense missile. Thailand denied the Cambodian media's report about the F-16 being shot down and confirmed that all six of its F-16 fighter jets returned safely after completing their mission. On July 24 local time, the Thailand Royal Air Force responded, stating that the report by Cambodian media claiming that a Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down earlier that day was "completely false," and the Thailand Royal Air Force urged the public to rely only on reliable news sources for the latest information.

Thailand Air Force denies loss of F-16 fighter jet

Thai media screenshot

On the morning of July 24, 2025, six F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Ubon Ratchathani base of the Thailand Royal Air Force were deployed. After intense ground conflicts and rocket attacks, they attacked Cambodian military positions near the temple complex. According to a Thai military source, this mission involved precise strikes against two Cambodian Army division headquarters in the Chong Kneas area. Soon after the air strike by the Thailand Royal Air Force F-16 fighter jets, Cambodian official and local media reported that around 10:58 local time, a Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down by Cambodia's air defense missile system (allegedly the Kaitian missile).

Cambodian army received the first set of Chinese-made, KS-1C, Kaitian-1C air defense missile systems

The use of Thailand Royal Air Force F-16 fighter jets marked a significant escalation in the long-standing border dispute, which had previously been limited to artillery exchanges, small-scale ground conflicts, and the use of reconnaissance drones. The Thailand Royal Air Force also used fighter jets for cross-border strike missions for the first time in years. It is reported that the Royal Thai Air Force has mobilized a mixed fighter jet force, preparing for full-scale combat, mainly consisting of 35 F-16 fighter jets, 7 JAS-39C/D Gripen fighter jets as the main force, and 30 F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets as support combat task forces.

Thailand Air Force suppresses the Cambodian Army with F-16 fighter jets

Cambodia does not have a modern air force but possesses man-portable air defense systems. It is alleged that it only has one Kaitian air defense missile system, anti-aircraft guns (the Cambodian air defense forces also use trucks provided by South Korea as mobile anti-aircraft gun platforms equipped with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns). If the situation escalates further, if the Thailand Royal Air Force deploys the Gripen fighter jets for bombing missions, it would mark the first combat deployment of the Gripen fighter jets in service in Thailand, and also one of the first combat deployments of the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets globally. In response to the threat posed by the Thailand Royal Air Force, the Chairman of the Cambodian Senate, Hun Sen, stated, "Sergei, the commander of the second military region of Thailand, opened fire on the Cambodian army, instigated this war." "This person once warned that he would capture Cambodia within three days. I also want to know his three-day strategy."

Cambodia's front-line air defense can only rely on anti-aircraft guns

By local time on July 25, 2025, the Thai military has moved its M42 "Duster" self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, "Striker" wheeled assault vehicles, FV101 "Scorpion" light tanks, M113 armored personnel carriers, off-road vehicles produced with Japanese technology, and military trucks as reinforcements to the frontline of the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Thai Army reinforces with Striker wheeled assault vehicles

It's really a lot of Cold War-era NATO relics starting to participate in the war. Now, the Thai Navy, Army, and Air Force have overwhelming advantages over Cambodia. However, in this border conflict, the Cambodian army tries to suppress with terrain and rocket artillery. Overall, if the Thai military fully mobilizes, the current strength of the Cambodian army cannot match, at least not in terms of air power. How can the Cambodian army counter the F-16 fighter jets and Gripen fighter jets of the Thailand Royal Air Force? According to Indian sources, the Thailand Royal Air Force has deployed the fourth-generation Saab JAS-39 "Gripen" jet fighters manufactured in Sweden near the disputed territory, preparing for large-scale air raids on the Cambodian army, including F-16 and JAS-39 Gripen, at least 48 Thai Air Force fighter jets are ready to bomb Phnom Penh. The Cambodian Air Force is unable to do anything, just watching helplessly as it gets bombed. Cambodia is too poor to maintain an air force. It has only ended its civil war 20 years ago, and its size is far behind Thailand. Currently, the Thai military has entered Cambodia, occupied the Preah Vihear Temple, and the crossing point on Highway 62.

Thai Army FV101 "Scorpion" light tanks, M113 armored personnel carriers reinforce the front line

From the current border skirmishes, Cambodia basically has no air force, while the Thai military has been hit by the Cambodian artillery fire, especially the rocket artillery, which has been a bit confusing and tragic. Looking at the terrain, the Thai side is flat and should be easy to control, while the Cambodian side needs to cross cliffs and steep slopes, which is indeed difficult.

Thai Air Force prepares to bomb Phnom Penh anytime!

According to the rules, both sides are countries without much strategic depth, and the importance of the air force in the Southeast Asian primeval forests may not be very important, referring to the Myanmar civil war. But the premise is that the Cambodian army has the ability to counter the Thai forces, especially the ground warfare with the ability to strike. Currently, as the Thai Army mobilizes a large force, especially an armored force, the advantage of the Cambodian army in the front area is gradually being suppressed.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530698098033607219/

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