On July 26, 2025, local time, according to Thai military journalist Nanaum, the Royal Thai Air Force continued to deploy F-16 fighter jets on July 25 to conduct bombing and strike missions in the area of Eggplant Mountain and the Preah Vihear Mountains. The air force carried out multiple waves of aerial strikes with the intention of cutting off the Cambodian army's ability to fire rocket artillery and heavy artillery at Thailand. According to the Thai military, this large-scale bombing by the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets was completely successful, successfully destroying several Cambodian rocket artillery (RM-70 Vampire rocket artillery) and cannons (D-30). All F-16 fighter jets deployed by the Royal Thai Air Force returned safely.

The Royal Thai Air Force brought in more advanced Saab Gripen fighter jets on the 26th

At the same time, military journalist Nanaum disclosed that the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets did not carry out bombing missions across the border. This is the first time the Thai side has revealed such a situation. The reason given is that "the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets, during the bombing process, were at a high altitude, vigilant against the threat of Cambodian air defense missile systems, especially foreign-produced air defense missile systems." This means that the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets have encountered radar illumination or locking by the Chinese-made HQ-12, export model KS-1C (Kai Shan) air defense missile system, which is equipped by the Cambodian army. Earlier, it was reported that a Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet had been shot down by the Chinese-made HQ-12, but this claim was quickly denied by the Thai military.

The Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet was targeted by the Cambodian HQ-12 air defense missile

However, the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets are now being cautious, no longer carrying out cross-border bombing missions, but instead switching to dropping South Korean-made glide-guided bombs for precision strikes from 50 kilometers away, completing the task of battlefield air blockage. The Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet units are so careful and cautious because their F-16A/B models are the oldest versions of the F-16 fighter jet, having been in service for over 30 years, while the Cambodian army's Chinese-made HQ-12 air defense missile system was delivered in 2023, a new air defense missile system. Therefore, if the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets rashly conduct cross-border bombing, they are easily likely to be shot down by the HQ-12 air defense missile system.

The Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet changed its cross-border bombing into dropping South Korean-made glide-guided bombs

In response to the HQ-12 air defense missile, the Royal Thai Air Force began to mobilize the latest Swedish-made Saab Gripen fighter jets from the rear: On the 26th, the Royal Thai Air Force JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets were transferring from Surat Thani to an undisclosed airbase near the front line, preparing to begin combat operations. This will be the first time the Royal Thai Air Force JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets participate in combat, as well as the first time the Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets engage in actual combat.

The Chinese-made HQ-12 air defense missile system of the Cambodian army is confirmed to have joined the battle

From the perspective of the Thai military, if they can completely destroy the Cambodian air defense missile system and long-range strike weapons without any damage, they can declare victory. However, currently, the Royal Thai Air Force does not have the strength to achieve this goal, and it is difficult to complete this objective. If they forcefully attack, they have to cross the border to attack, and once the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets are shot down by the HQ-12 air defense missile system, it would be even more embarrassing and hard to handle. From the current situation, this round of border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is still just a brief clash, and neither side gains a clear advantage. The Cambodian army actually hopes that the Thai ground forces will enter, and does not want the Thai navy and air force to escalate the conflict.

Russian independent media summarizes the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand

As of local time on July 26, the fighting between the Cambodian and Thai armies has entered its third day. Currently, the situation has shifted from the first day of the war, when the Cambodian army used rocket artillery to bomb Thailand and the 59D tanks of the Cambodian Army launched an assault, to the Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting remote precision-guided bombing and South Korean-made glide-guided bombs targeting the Cambodian army's objectives, with the Thai ground forces launching a full-scale offensive. It can be said that on July 26, the Thai army began to show its overwhelming superiority. In terms of manpower, weaponry, and firepower, the Thai army has an absolute advantage. The Royal Thai Air Force and Navy are far ahead of the Cambodian army. In contrast, the Cambodian army is at a disadvantage in all aspects. After losing the ability to conduct long-range artillery attacks, the Cambodian army can only defend passively.

The Cambodian army itself has no military industry, and all weapons need to be purchased. Its domestic military budget is also low, with most weapons dating back to the Soviet era, and a small number of high-tech weapons are gifts from China. No Chinese fighter jets or trainer aircraft have been purchased. Despite years of talks about the J-10, JF-17 FC-1, and FTC-2000G trainer aircraft, the Cambodian Air Force has not yet purchased them. If the war continues, it will be very unfavorable for the Cambodian army. After 48 hours of fighting, the Thai army has an absolute advantage overall, and it is sufficient to ensure that the Thai army can achieve a decisive victory after the arrival of subsequent forces and control the disputed area.

The Cambodian army suffered from a large-scale bombing and suppression by the Royal Thai Air Force

The Preah Vihear Temple stands on a cliff 550 meters high on the border between Cambodia and Thailand, overlooking the entire Cambodian plain. Looking at it this way, the terrain is really strategic! Most of these issues are deliberately left by Western colonial powers. I always feel that once we become strong enough, we must make the West pay for their past actions. Thailand and Cambodia are both friendly neighboring countries of China and important members of ASEAN. Maintaining good neighborly relations and properly resolving differences is in the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides. On the evening of July 25, Colonel Siva Rattanakarn, assistant military attaché of the Thai Embassy in China, visited the China International Military Cooperation Office and held meetings with officials responsible for international military cooperation. The Thai military informed the Chinese side about the current situation of the conflict, and the Thai media reported that the Chinese side has clearly stated to the Thai authorities: "Since the tension in the Thai-Cambodian border situation, China has never provided any military equipment used to attack Thailand to the Cambodian army," and "The Chinese military equipment in service with the Cambodian army are the results of past cooperation."

If the Cambodian Air Force had bought Chinese fighter jets earlier, the situation would not have been so passive

If Cambodia wants to fight, it should have prepared years ago. It could definitely afford to buy the J-10, JF-17 FC-1, and FTC-2000G trainer aircraft. Then it could purchase some CM-802AKG, CM-400AKG air-to-ground missiles, small diameter bombs, and standoff dispensers, and buy a couple of sets of the complete HQ-9B/9C air defense missile systems. As a result, now facing the suppression and bombing by the Royal Thai Air Force, the Cambodian army has already shown signs of defeat.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531323668535788086/

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