On local time July 26, 2025, according to Thai military journalist Nanaum, the Royal Thai Air Force continued to deploy F-16 fighter jets on July 25 for bombing and strike missions. In the area of Eggplant Mountain and the Preah Vihear Mountains, multiple waves of aerial strikes were carried out with the aim of cutting off the Cambodian army's ability to launch rocket artillery and heavy artillery toward Thailand. According to the Thai military, this large-scale bombing by the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets was a complete success, successfully destroying multiple 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. At the same time, Thai military journalist Nanaum disclosed that the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets did not cross the border to conduct bombing missions, which is the first time the Thai side has revealed such a situation. The reason given was "the high altitude at which the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets conducted bombing operations, being vigilant against the threat of Cambodia's air defense missile system, especially the foreign-produced air defense missile systems equipped by Cambodia." This means that the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets have encountered radar illumination or locking by the Chinese-made Hongqi-12 (KS-1C, Kaisan) air defense missile system, which is equipped by the Cambodian army. Earlier, it was reported that a Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jet had been shot down by the Chinese-made Hongqi-12, but this claim was quickly denied by the Thai military.
However, the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets are now being more cautious, no longer conducting cross-border bombing missions, but instead deploying South Korean-made glide-guided bombs to carry out precise strikes from 50 kilometers away, completing the task of blocking the battlefield from the air. The Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jet force is so careful and cautious because all their F-16s are the oldest models, F-16A/B, which have been in service for over 30 years, while the Chinese-made Hongqi-12 air defense missile system, which Cambodia has equipped, was delivered in 2023, making it a new air defense missile system. Therefore, if the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets recklessly conduct cross-border bombing, they could easily be shot down by the Hongqi-12 air defense missile system.
Faced with the Hongqi-12 air defense missile system, the Royal Thai Air Force has started to mobilize the latest Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets: On the 26th, the Royal Thai Air Force's JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets were transferring from Surat Thani to an undisclosed airbase near the front line, preparing to start participating in combat. This will be the first time the Royal Thai Air Force's JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets participate in combat, as well as the first time the Swedish-built JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets see actual combat. From the perspective of the Thai military, if they can completely destroy the Cambodian air defense missile system and long-range weapons without any damage, they can declare victory. However, currently, the Royal Thai Air Force does not have the capability to achieve this goal, and it is difficult to complete this objective. If they forcefully attack, they would have to cross the border to attack, and once the Royal Thai Air Force's F-16 fighter jets are shot down by the Hongqi-12 air defense missile system, it would be even more embarrassing and hard to recover from. As of now, this round of border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia is still just a small skirmish, with neither side gaining an absolute advantage. Cambodia actually hopes that Thailand will send ground forces into its territory, and does not want Thailand to escalate its naval and air forces.
Escalation of Tension Between Cambodia and Thailand
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838702054892612/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.