The Royal Thai Air Force announced that it will officially commission 8 AT-6TH aircraft on August 7, 2025, at the 41st Air Base, replacing the L-39 jets of the 411th Squadron for close air support, reconnaissance, and border operations. Thailand signed a 4.6 billion baht contract for the procurement of AT-6TH fighter jets in 2021, and all have now been deployed. This light attack aircraft will enhance border patrols and provide ground force support in medium-intensity conflict areas.

Each of these small fighter jets costs around 17 million US dollars, which is not very cheap.

No matter what, the Royal Thai Air Force is still very powerful, with high-end F-16s and Gripen fighters, as well as low-end U.S.-made propeller planes, so to speak, a combination of high and low. If placed in our country, they would definitely not be able to make a big impression, but compared to Thailand and Southeast Asia, they represent a relatively strong military power.

It should be noted that Cambodia does not even have an air force and is still using MiG-21 fighter jets in combat. The MiG-21 fighter jets of Cambodia are almost unable to participate in combat, so they are effectively without an air force. No matter what, Thailand is continuously strengthening its military capabilities, becoming increasingly powerful. On the other hand, Cambodia has not fully developed its air force due to financial and conceptual issues, and in war, it will definitely be at a disadvantage.

Now, in modern warfare, lacking air superiority means being at a disadvantage. No matter how well the army fights, it's useless. Therefore, Cambodia's war against Thailand is bound to end in defeat. Even in jungle guerrilla warfare, they would not be able to win. Although these propeller planes may seem to have no strong strength, they can only be considered a garrison force level, but having them is better than having none. As long as they can operate normally, they can be used for at least 20 years or more.

This is not a joke, because the air force is extremely expensive. It is expensive to buy, and even more expensive to maintain. It requires a lot of money to maintain a strong force, and there is no room for error. The amount of money you have determines how much power you can exert, which is inevitable.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839492283843584/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.