Latest news with #RTAF
Bangkok Post
6 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Air force tracks suspect drones in Ubon Ratchathani
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is investigating unknown drones detected flying near Wing 21 in Ubon Ratchathani, confirming there was no attack from them. An initial inspection report showed the drones had no cameras or other modifications, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul, the air force commander, said on Wednesday. He said other drone activity had been detected in many areas of Bangkok, but details were still not known. They might be harmless civilian models, the commander added. Because of the security risks arising from current Thai-Cambodian border tensions, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has banned drones in a number of provinces. The ban covers Buri Ram, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Phichit, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Trat and Ubon Ratchathani. The CAAT also prohibits drones within a radius of nine kilometres or five nautical miles from airports and temporary landing strips. Violators face punishment of up to one year in prison and/or up to 40,000 baht in fines.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Thailand's Gripen fighters first ever to be used in actual combat
When the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed JAS 39C/D Gripen fighter jets in strikes against Cambodia on July 26, it was the first time the Swedish built warplane had ever been used in combat The jets were used against Cambodian artillery firing on Thai positions along their disputed border. Two Gripen jets flew alongside Thailand's older F-16 Fighting Falcons. The mission was said to have been successful, with all aircraft returning safely to base. The Gripen was developed by Sweden's Saab AB under the 'Smart Fighter' concept and is designed for network-centric warfare. It can seamlessly integrate with the radar systems, ground stations and other aircraft used in real-time operations. Since first integrated into the RTAF fleet in 2011, Thailand's Gripens had until July 26 been used exclusively for training exercises, air shows and border patrol. The Gripen is also flown by the Czech Republic, Brazil, Hungary and South Africa, but it was the first time the jets have been used in real combat anywhere in the world. The Gripen was chosen for its advanced technology, multi-role capability and ability to operate from short runways and small airfields - giving it agility and strategic versatility on the battlefield.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Thailand Declares Surin ‘War Disaster Zone', Sends F-16s, Gripens To Bomb Cambodia ‘Rocket Den'
Thailand has elevated the conflict status in its frontier province of Surin to disaster level, equivalent to flood or earthquake, as per a report by The Nation Thailand. Surin governor issued a directive on July 27 in this regard in response to the escalating violence along the Thai-Cambodian order follows continuous and increasingly intense armed clashes along Thailand border with Cambodia. The attacks have reportedly targeted not only military positions but also vital civilian infrastructure such as health centres and petrol Bangkok said on July 27 that its air force had deployed four F-16 fighter jets to 'neutralise' threats posed by Cambodian troops. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) stated that their jets suppressed Cambodian forces that had launched BM-21 multiple rocket attacks in Surin. Earlier, on July 26, the RTAF deployed two F-16s and two Gripen fighter jets to target Cambodian troop positions in Phanom Dong Rak district. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION2:40 THAILAND, CAMBODIA SHOWDOWN IN MALAYSIA
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Air Force deploys F-16s to bomb Cambodian targets in three key strategic areas
BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed F-16 fighter jets to carry out two airstrike waves on Cambodian military positions in the strategic areas surrounding Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Muen Thom, and Phu Makua, in retaliation for Cambodia's use of heavy weaponry against Thai civilian homes and hospitals. All aircraft returned safely. According to reports, shortly after noon on Friday (July 25), the Air Force executed the first wave of its Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI) operation, dispatching four F-16 jets to strike two Cambodian military targets. The mission was successful, and all aircraft returned to base without ALSO READ: Thailand condemns Cambodia in letter to UN, asserting sovereignty violation In the second wave conducted in the afternoon, two more F-16s were launched, striking two additional targets with precision, before safely returning to base. The air operation focused on neutralizing Cambodian military positions in the vicinity of Preah Vihear (Khao Phra Wihan), Ta Muen Thom and Phu Makua. ALSO READ: Border conflict: Cambodia Culture Minister warns of damage to Preah Vihear Temple, urges Unesco intervention These areas were identified as firing bases from which Cambodia launched attacks on Thai civilian areas, including homes and hospitals, along the border. The Thai Air Force emphasized that these actions were a tactical response to inhumane use of force by Cambodia. ALSO READ: Thailand says open to Malaysia mediating in Cambodia conflict The BAI mission aims to disrupt or destroy enemy forces and capabilities that are beyond the range of friendly ground troops or artillery, but still within the broader battlefield zone. This tactic is intended to delay, impede, or degrade the enemy's combat capacity before it reaches the front lines. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
05-07-2025
- Science
- Bangkok Post
Air force develops squadron of 'Kamikaze' drones
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has unveiled a locally developed version of the Kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a loitering munition designed for precision strikes on high-value targets during combat. Nicknamed the "suicide drone" and capable of carrying out self-destructive attacks with high-explosive warheads, it is part of a broader push to enhance the country's defence capabilities through home-grown innovation, said the RTAF on Saturday. The project is a collaboration between the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, the Directorate of Armament of the RTAF and the RTAF's Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology. The drone has completed testing, demonstrating the ability to strike medium-range targets with a deviation of less than five metres from the intended point of impact. The RTAF hailed the trial as a step toward bringing the Kamikaze UAV into full-scale production and eventual deployment, saying the new system is expected to bolster its combat readiness and help safeguard national sovereignty through modernised and self-reliant military technology.
