On the morning of July 24, 2025, local time, the Thai and Cambodian armies clashed near Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani Province. After the clash, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed six F-16 fighter jets to conduct cross-border bombing. The Thai aircraft hit and destroyed the headquarters of the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions of the Cambodian Army. This is the first time that the Royal Thai Air Force has been found to have deployed F-16 fighter jets in border conflicts with the Cambodian Army, and conducted cross-border bombing.
The currently disputed areas between Thailand and Cambodia as publicly disclosed by Thai media
On July 24, Indian media, specifically the RKM website, claimed, "The United States has approved the use of the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets to strike the Cambodian army supported by China." "China is preparing to send the JF-17 Xiaolong fighter jets and the J-10CE fighter jets to the Cambodian Air Force to counter the American F-16 fighter jets and the American military." "Russian, American, and Chinese weapons are joining the Thai war combination." Currently, most of the equipment used by the Cambodian Army is donated by China, with a small amount purchased, including the AR-2 long-range rocket launcher. Considering the relationship with Thailand, China may not directly sell the J-10CE fighter jets to the Cambodian Air Force now, at least not yet. However, it is still possible to sell the JF-17 Xiaolong fighter jets through Pakistan. But if Cambodia had proposed earlier, willing to purchase fighter jets and air defense missiles from China, China would not have refused in person. The request to purchase J-10CE fighter jets and Hongqi-9 air defense missiles might have been sold to Cambodia at a more favorable price, as Cambodia could exchange ports, which would be almost like selling at half price for Cambodia.
Screen capture from CCTV reporting on July 24
Report by Indian media RKM about the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets bombing Cambodia
Indian media believes that China may sell the J-10CE and JF-17 Xiaolong fighter jets to the Cambodian Air Force
Earlier rumors stated that the Cambodian Air Force had purchased the FTC-2000G fighter trainer jet. However, the first user of the FTC-2000G fighter trainer jet was the Myanmar Air Force. For Chinese-made fighter jets, the condition is that Cambodia can afford them. Now, the Cambodian Air Force and air defense basically do not exist. They only have shoulder-fired old missiles, and apart from one set of KS-1 medium-range air defense missiles, they have no regular field air defense missiles or long-range air defense missiles. The Cambodian Army currently only uses drones for reconnaissance. It can be said that Cambodia's aerial combat capabilities are far behind the Royal Thai Air Force.
Cambodia, like Iran, should have proposed earlier to purchase main fighter jets from China
The current number of Thai Air Force personnel is approximately 46,000, with around 329 aircraft of various models, including 11 JAS-39C/D Gripen fighter jets, 52 F-16A/B fighter jets, 25 F-5 fighter jets, 19 Alfa A light attack fighter jets, 16 AU-23A attack jets, 12 T-50TH Golden Eagle fighter trainers, 26 L-39 trainers, 21 PC-9初级教练机 (PC-9 primary trainers), 10 DA-42 primary trainers, 7 T-41D primary trainers, 37 CT-4A/B/E primary trainers, 4 Saab early warning aircraft, 12 C-130H tactical transport aircraft, 2 Saab 340B transport aircraft, 7 BT-67 transport aircraft, 3 ATR-72 transport aircraft, etc. These aircraft can carry out certain air strikes, especially bombings of Cambodia, where there is no concern about the presence of air defense forces. The Royal Thai Air Force also has reconnaissance drones, armed drones, and integrated surveillance and strike drones imported from China.
The most suitable fighter jet for the Cambodian Air Force is the same model as the Myanmar Air Force, the FTC-2000G fighter trainer jet
As of now, the situation on the battlefield, the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets can fly in groups into Cambodian airspace, even freely over Phnom Penh. In the bombing on the 24th, the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets could drop bombs without worrying about any of their fighter jets being shot down. The Cambodian air defense forces are basically zero, even worse than Iran, and the Houthi rebels, who can at least shoot down several American and Israeli drones. If a real large-scale war were to break out, the Cambodian Army would not only be unable to deal with the bombing threats caused by the Thai F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft, but also be unable to put up a meaningful resistance. Although the purchase of the JF-17 Xiaolong, J-10, and FTC-2000G fighter trainer jets by the Cambodian Air Force is still just an idea and has not been officially confirmed, only reported by Indian media, once the Cambodian Air Force is equipped with Chinese-made fighter jets and air defense missile systems, it will significantly improve its passive situation.
As of July 24, the Cambodian and Thai armies continue to fight near the disputed area of the Dagwei Temple. According to reports, a Cambodian Army soldier fired 40mm rockets and machine-gunned the Thai military positions, marking the most serious military escalation between these two ASEAN countries in over a decade.
The Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets can bomb Cambodia without restraint
According to reports, both sides are planning to expand the war. Regarding this conflict, it can only be said that each side has its own position. Thailand believes that "ceding" territory is a "national humiliation" left by France. Cambodia believes that Thailand allied with Japan during World War II and was part of the Axis Powers, but was not held accountable, and the Thai military should pay a price for its actions during the war. The Ta Men Tong Temple and Preah Vihear Temple are ancient Khmer temples located on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. In 1962, the International Court ruled in favor of Cambodia, granting it sovereignty over the temples, but Thailand still disputes the surrounding land.
Cambodia launches a rocket attack in response
Due to Thai soldiers stepping on landmines near the temple, a conflict occurred between the Thai and Cambodian armies, resulting in artillery and air strikes. This is not a new war, so over the years, the Cambodian and Thai armies have been fighting endlessly. In theory, this conflict area could be placed under the management of a third party, allowing cross-border passage after inspection of the border residents; the management cost would be shared by the two countries according to the proportion of the claimed area.
The longer the war lasts, the more disadvantageous it is for Cambodia. Thailand can crush Cambodia with just its air force alone.
The Cambodian Air Force does not even have a single fighter jet that can take off. If a real war breaks out, it will definitely be beaten by Thailand. The Thai-Cambodian border conflicts have never escalated into a full-scale war, mainly manifested as tense confrontations and short-term skirmishes. Most of the territorial disputes stem from issues left by Western colonialism. This shows how significant the impact of Western colonialism on future generations is.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530559285563064866/
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