Latest news with #ThaiAirForce
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand deploys F-16 jets in second strike ahead of midnight ceasefire with Cambodia
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thai Air Force strikes border targets hours before ceasefire, as Cambodia continues troop build-up near disputed temple zones. Hours before the agreed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is set to take effect at midnight, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conducted a second round of F-16 fighter jet operations targeting areas near Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province. The evening sortie involved two F-16 jets and followed an earlier morning mission in the same area. Both operations reportedly achieved their objectives and the aircraft returned safely to base, according to military officials. The Second Army Area's Operations Centre reported on the situation as of 12pm today, confirming that fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border remains intense. Cambodian forces were observed reinforcing their positions and increasing troop deployments from further inland in an effort to seize control of strategic locations near the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple zones. Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" from midnight (1700 GMT) on Monday, in a bid to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting that has displaced more than 300,000 people. After days of efforts by Malaysia, chair of the Asean regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the truce. At least 36 people have been killed in the fighting, mostly civilians. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked his acting Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai for what he said was a positive role and said he deeply appreciated Trump's "decisive mediation" and China's constructive participation. "We agreed that the fighting will stop immediately," he said, expressing confidence that both sides could rebuild trust and confidence. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
Deccan Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Explained: Why Thailand and Cambodia are fighting along their border
🚨 BREAKING: Fierce fighting erupts on the Thailand–Cambodia border 🇰🇭 Cambodian forces launched rocket attacks on Thai border towns using Russian Grad systems 🇹🇭 Thai Air Force responded with airstrikes on Cambodian military targets At least 11 civilians killed and 2 Thai…
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border boil over as soldiers open fire
Read more here: Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged live fire in at least six locations along their disputed border on July 24, 2025. At least 9 Thai civilians were killed in the conflict, and the Thai air force has bombed Cambodian military positions along the disputed border. Both sides blamed each other for starting the conflict. The clashes came after weeks of heightened tensions between the neighbouring countries over ownership of a temple complex in a disputed border territory.
Bloomberg
04-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Thailand to Buy 12 Swedish Gripen Fighters in Modernization Push
The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets as part of a broader plan to modernize its military. The air force announced Wednesday it has chosen the Gripen E/F jets from maker Saab AB to replace its aging fleet of US-made F-16s, with the acquisition to occur over three phases in a 10-year period.
CNA
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Thailand to buy 4 more Swedish Gripen fighter jets, air force says
BANGKOK: Thailand plans to acquire a dozen Gripen JAS 39 fighter jets built by Sweden's SAAB over 10 years to replace its ageing fleet of mainly US aircraft, the air force chief said on Wednesday (Jun 4), two years after Washington denied its request to buy F-35s. Thailand has one of Southeast Asia's best-equipped air forces, with 11 JAS 39 Gripen jets and dozens of American F-16 and F-5 aircraft, some of which have been in operation since the late 1980s. The budget for the first procurement phase from 2025 to 2029 is 19.5 billion baht (US$596 million) for four Gripen jets, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul said. The air force, which had said last year that it wanted to buy more Swedish jets, said it would send the plan to cabinet for approval next month. If approved, the contract was expected to be signed in August. "We welcome the Royal Thai Air Force's selection of Gripen E/F as its future fighter and look forward to the next steps in this procurement process," SAAB CEO Micael Johansson said in a statement. "Gripen E/F is the best solution to provide Thailand with independent airpower for the future which will contribute significantly to the nation's safety and security," he said. The Swedish company said it had not signed a contract nor received a firm order yet. Thailand, which has a long history of military cooperation with the United States and was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by Washington in 2023, had initially sought as many as eight Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jets, among the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. But the United States in 2023 declined to sell them over what Bangkok said were issues with training and technical requirements including maintenance compatibility. The F-35 is considered a sensitive export sold only to the United States' closest allies, which in the Indo-Pacific include Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
