On local time July 26, 2025, locals in Cambodia took pictures of another rocket launcher lost by the Cambodian army. It is currently unclear whether the loss is a Chinese-made 90B rocket launcher or a 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 bombing of Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets. Figure 2 shows Cambodian soldiers taking cover from the bombing of Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets. The Cambodian army now seems like a group of disorganized troops. However, there's nothing that can be done about it. The Cambodian Air Force has no fighter jets, relying only on a Chinese-made KS-1C (Kaisan), the export version of the Hongqi-12 surface-to-air missile, and the Feinu-6 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles held by Cambodian soldiers. These are not enough to effectively prevent the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets' fierce bombardment. As of the 26th, the Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets have carried out 72 hours of continuous bombing, during which they received support from the United States and South Korea. The United States has fully opened up the restrictions on F-16 fighter jets participating in combat. South Korea provided glide-guided bombs 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.
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, with a range of 130 kilometers, capable of targeting strategic locations. The elite of the Cambodian artillery forces include the Chinese-made SH-1 155mm self-propelled gun and the AR-2 long-range rocket launcher. The Thai Army's Second Military Region stated that the Thai military has developed a plan for rear defense and has equipped weapons to counter the Cambodian long-range rocket launchers. In order to effectively protect the lives and property of the Thai people, the Thai military warned the Thai militia to be vigilant against possible attacks by Thai long-range rocket launchers. The Thai people need not panic and should closely monitor the warning notifications issued by the Thai military at any time. According to the Thai military's intention, the Thai military has developed a response plan and can destroy the Cambodian army's long-range rocket launchers when necessary, calling on the Thai people not to panic.
Cambodia officially received the Chinese-provided AR-2 large-caliber long-range rocket launcher system in August 2022. The Cambodian army has purchased at least 12 AR-2 long-range rocket launchers. The introduction of this long-range strike firepower marks the modernization of the Cambodian artillery force, making it strategic. The AR-2 is the export version of China's PHL-03 long-range rocket launcher. It has a caliber of 300 mm, adopts a modular design, and can fire box-type long-range guided rockets, with a maximum range of 130-150 km.
To be honest, unless the Cambodian artillery forces have a large stock of guided shells in their AR-2 long-range rocket launchers, the power they can exert will not be much greater than that of 122mm rockets. If neither side's personnel enter the other's territory, relying solely on long-range rockets, artillery, and air strikes, the situation would not change much and could 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 more and more fiercely, while Cambodia has even brought out the Chinese-produced long-range rocket launchers for retaliation, deploying the country's most important weapon. The war has continued this long because both sides believe the other has invaded them.
Escalation of Tension Between Cambodia and Thailand
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838695433534468/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.