Amid escalating violence along the border and with no signs of de-escalation, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) recently deployed F-16 Fighting Falcon and JAS 39 Gripen fighters to carry out new precision strikes against military targets in Cambodian territory, marking yet another episode in the worsening bilateral conflict.
The latest wave of operations follows last week’s clashes, which involved artillery exchanges and multiple military provocations between the two nations. Within this context, the RTAF deployed six F-16 fighters to bomb Cambodian military positions, marking a turning point as it was the first time in over a decade that combat aircraft were used in direct action. This show of force by Thailand demonstrated not only its technological superiority but also its willingness to escalate military measures amid the deterioration of diplomatic relations.
As the conflict continued, the Thai Air Force launched a new aerial offensive in recent hours, consisting of four fighter jets—two F-16s and two Gripens—targeting specific sites in two strategic locations. The first strike, recorded on July 26 over the locality of Phu Ma Kua following intelligence reports, involved both U.S.-made and Swedish-made aircraft. The second attack targeted the Ta Muen Thom temple, where Cambodian forces had positioned indirect-fire weapons. According to official reports, both strikes were successfully completed, neutralizing the enemy positions without any aircraft losses.
It is worth noting that the Thai air force operates a large and diverse fleet aimed at maintaining air superiority in regional scenarios. It currently flies F-16A/B Fighting Falcons—some of which have been modernized and form the core of its combat power—as well as U.S.-made Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs and Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighters acquired over the past decade.
Debut of the Gripen Fighters
This latest deployment highlighted the RTAF’s operational capabilities and, in particular, marked the combat debut of Thailand’s Gripen jets, which were effectively integrated alongside the F-16 Fighting Falcons. The Thai JAS 39 Gripens—based with Wing 7 in Surat Thani—are part of an advanced aerial defense system, supported by Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft equipped with Erieye radar for early warning and airborne command tasks.
The Gripens are configured to carry IRIS-T and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, RBS-15 anti-ship missiles, and precision-guided munitions, providing a flexible and modern combat capability. While the exact munitions used in the latest strike were not disclosed, OSINT imagery from the first operation showed F-16s armed with 500-pound Mark 82 bombs fitted with Lizard III guidance kits.
From a strategic standpoint, these airstrikes represent a decisive show of force by Thailand and demonstrate its ability to rapidly and precisely project air power in hostile environments. They also underscore the increasing importance of the air component in a border conflict that threatens to intensify, in a regional context where stability remains fragile. To date, the exchanges between both sides have resulted in more than a dozen casualties and significant damage to both civilian and military infrastructure.
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