On July 26, 2025 local time, Cambodian locals captured footage of another rocket launcher lost by the Cambodian army. It is currently unclear whether the lost one is the Chinese-made 90B rocket launcher or the Czech RM-70 "Vampire" rocket launcher. On the 25th, the Cambodian army had already lost one Czech RM-70 "Vampire" rocket launcher. Both of these rocket launchers were precisely destroyed by the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets.

The second rocket launcher of Cambodia was destroyed by the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets

Cambodian soldiers are panicking and dodging the bombing by the Thai Air Force F-16

Cambodian army soldiers are dodging the bombing by the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets. The Cambodian army now seems like a group of unorganized people. Actually, there's nothing they can do about it. The Cambodian Air Force has no fighter jets. Relying on a set of Chinese-made KS-1C (Kaisan), the export version of the Hongqi-12 air defense missile, and the Feinu-6 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles in the hands of Cambodian soldiers, they cannot effectively prevent the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets from carrying out their attacks. As of the 26th, the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets have carried out 72 hours of continuous bombing. During this period, they received support from the United States and South Korea. The United States has fully opened up the restrictions for the F-16 fighter jets to participate in the war, while South Korea provided glide-guided precision bombs used for precise bombing of Cambodian rocket launchers, cannons, and soldier positions, including the front-line command post of the Cambodian army. The Cambodian army has moved its Czech-made RM-70 122mm rocket launchers to the country's Oddar Meanchey province to avoid frontline bombing.

Notice issued by the Second Army Region of the Thai military

Report by Thai media, the Cambodian artillery launched the Chinese-made AR-2 long-range rocket launcher

At the same time, on the 26th, the Thai army confirmed that the Cambodian army had launched the Chinese-made PHL-03 long-range rocket launcher, an export model called AR-2, which has a range of 130 kilometers and can target strategic locations. The elite forces of the Cambodian artillery include the Chinese-made SH-1 155mm self-propelled gun and the AR-2 long-range rocket launcher. The Thai Second Army Region stated that the Thai military has developed contingency plans for rear defense and equipped weapons to counter the long-range rocket launchers of Cambodia. To truly protect the lives and property of Thai citizens, the Thai military warned the Thai militia to be vigilant against possible strikes from the Thai long-range rocket launchers, and Thai citizens need not panic. Please closely monitor the warning notices issued by the Thai military at any time. According to the Thai military's meaning, the Thai military has developed response plans and can destroy the long-range rocket launchers of the Cambodian army if necessary, and urges the Thai citizens not to panic.

Cambodia began to withdraw some rocket launchers to avoid air raids

Cambodia officially received the Chinese-provided AR-2 large-caliber long-range rocket launcher system in August 2022. The Cambodian army has at least purchased 12 AR-2 long-range rocket launchers. The introduction of this long-range strike firepower marks the modernization of the Cambodian artillery force and its strategic level. The AR-2 is the export version of China's PHL-03 long-range rocket launcher. It has a caliber of 300 millimeters, uses a modular design, and can fire box-type long-range guided rockets. Its maximum range reaches 130-150 kilometers.

At least one of the RM-70 rocket launchers of the Cambodian army has been lost

To be honest, unless the Cambodian artillery has a large stock of guided shells for the AR-2 long-range rocket launcher, its power will not be much greater than that of 122mm rocket shells. If neither side's personnel enters the other's territory, relying only on long-range rockets, artillery, and air strikes, the situation would not change much, and would be controlled within a certain range. However, the current conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has completely gotten out of control. The Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets are bombing harder and harder, while Cambodia even brought out the Chinese-produced long-range rocket launchers for retaliation, mobilizing the country's most important weapon. The fact that this war has continued so far means both sides believe the other has invaded them.

Cambodia begins to mobilize its "national treasures"

The AR-2 long-range rocket launcher of the Cambodian artillery is a strategic-level weapon

On the evening of the 25th, the Cambodian representative to the United Nations stated after a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council: "Cambodia demands an immediate unconditional ceasefire, and we also call for a peaceful resolution of the bilateral dispute." Obviously, the "three punches" of the Cambodian army - rocket launchers, human wave attacks, and 59D tank advances - have been exhausted. The Cambodian army has no more strategies left. Faced with the air superiority of the Thai Air Force and the armored firepower advantage of the Thai military, the Cambodian army is struggling. This time, the Cambodian army dared to use the rocket launchers to attack Thai military targets, obviously it was pre-prepared.

The bombing intensity of the Thai Air Force is indeed quite strong

However, Cambodia completely miscalculated. They did not expect the Thai military to bomb so fiercely and intensively. All the front-line troops of the Cambodian army were bombed. If the Thai military fully regroups, the Cambodian army would have no advantages at all. Stopping the war now would be a good result for Cambodia. But the problem is, the Thai military does not want to stop the war. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The Cambodian army is conducting indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory around the clock. This behavior clearly lacks sincerity and continues to put Thai civilians in danger." Does the military strength of Cambodia have the capability to stop the war? For the Thai military, without a result, how could they stop the war?

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531291833234915881/

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