by Natthaphon Sangpolsit
    
UDON THANI (NNT) - The "Falcon Strike 2022" joint military exercise between Thailand and China began on Sunday (14 Aug) in Udon Thani province.

 

The 10-day exercise between China’s People’s Liberation Army Airforce (PLAAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is the fifth annual drill between the two nations since 2015.

 

The previous exercise was held in 2019 before being put on hold for two years due to the pandemic.

 

During the exercise, the PLAAF is deploying six J-10C/S fighter jets, a JH-7AI fighter-bomber and a Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) and control (AEW) aircraft.

 

The RTAF will meanwhile send five Gripen fighters, three Alpha Jet attack planes and an AEW plane. Key training courses such as air support, strikes on ground targets and small- and large-scale troop deployments will be included.

 

The joint training exercise aims to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two air forces, deepen practical cooperation and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

 

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG220814162747053

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-08-15

 

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Golly gosh gee wiz...no invites for America to join in?

21 minutes ago, wombat said:

Golly gosh gee wiz...no invites for America to join in?

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

25 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

Without the engines, it'd be ok I'm guessing. 

1 hour ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

No odds, the J-10C/S fighter jets is superior and is half the price.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The "Falcon Strike 2022" joint military exercise between Thailand and China began on Sunday

Classic & so similar to other "exercises" in Thailand. Thailand will do a GF experience for anyone, but eventually this loose military will pay when they lose one sponsor or the other

1 hour ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

It's not a "move", smart or otherwise, it's an annual event since 2015, which was paused the last 2 years because of Covid

The joint training exercise aims to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two air forces, deepen practical cooperation and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

 

What could possibly go wrong as the tentacles entwine you ???? 

Ah the ability for the Thais to teach/share with the Chinese what they learned during Cobra Gold exercises......

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

I doubt if there ever was a real chance of the USA selling them anyway. Why would they want a country to get their hands on the technology especially when China has such a big influence on this country?

Bet they are disappointed that there two new rides are not waiting for them.

 

 

 

Thailand thinks it can still play off both sides. 

If things get any hotter, and because Xi is on a mission from Mao, things will boil over eventually. 

It will happen sooner if, as is likely, widespread middle class dissent grows at home, he'll need a big distraction to divert their anger.

 

Then Thailand will have some serious recalibration coming. 

 

At some point, China being China, will try to strong arm something out of the Generals, it will be outside the scope of the usual easily conceded graft, and having rimmed the dragons cloaca for so long, they will be up <deleted> creek without a paddle. 

 

God help Thialand then. 

 

Right now, given they are avowed Royalists, Vietnam era, and  current American allies, what the hell are they thinking playing top gun with China? 

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

Probably never on the table but even if it was, the Thais aren't purchasing or getting the advanced weapons systems. 

Thailand continuing to get into bed with the bad guy when it suits. One day they’re going to lose face. As above, yanks won’t sell the F35 to those who dance with the devil. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The joint training exercise aims to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two air forces, deepen practical cooperation and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

And this is why Thailand will never get the F35s

3 hours ago, BE88 said:

No odds, the J-10C/S fighter jets is superior and is half the price.

It's a copy of the F16. 

 https://eurasiantimes.com/no-buyers-for-f-16s-why-does-j-10-jets-aka-chinese-version-of-f-16s-have-no-customers/

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The joint training exercise aims to enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two air forces, deepen practical cooperation and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

And pee Biden off?

Big brother will not be amused  F35 without engines and data!!!

13 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Real smart move, I'm sure America will want to sell Thailand the F-35's now?

They dont really want the F-35. It would destroy the air force. Bottomless money pit

21 hours ago, John Drake said:

It's a copy of the F16. 

 https://eurasiantimes.com/no-buyers-for-f-16s-why-does-j-10-jets-aka-chinese-version-of-f-16s-have-no-customers/

Thanks for the interesting link. My comment was rather ironic, in any case I see badly having Chinese submarines with American planes, so it is clear that the choice of the Thai government will be a Chinese plane.

 

Nothing to worry about; the Chinese planes will be gliders.

Playing both sides has been Thailand's strategy for a long time. Most of the billionaires here have Chinese heritage so no doubt they hope no invasion will happen here. 

I am surprised that all these joint exercises take place in Thailand but none take place in Hainan or Hawaii or California. After all, Thailand has an aircraft carrier.... 

On 8/15/2022 at 3:14 AM, chalawaan said:

Thailand thinks it can still play off both sides. 

Right now, given they are avowed Royalists, Vietnam era, and  current American allies, what the hell are they thinking playing top gun with China? 

Time for a state visit.....

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/30321685

 

49 minutes ago, bangon04 said:

Time for a state visit.....

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/30321685

 

That article is dated July 24, 2017

On 8/16/2022 at 9:17 AM, Purdey said:

Playing both sides has been Thailand's strategy for a long time. Most of the billionaires here have Chinese heritage so no doubt they hope no invasion will happen here. 

I am surprised that all these joint exercises take place in Thailand but none take place in Hainan or Hawaii or California. After all, Thailand has an aircraft carrier.... 

If you want to see good articles about China in all aspects look up "serpentza" on YouTube 

On 8/16/2022 at 7:01 AM, John Drake said:

That article is dated July 24, 2017

so no rush then........

Deleted.

On 8/14/2022 at 4:01 PM, wombat said:

Golly gosh gee wiz...no invites for America to join in?

They built the base. 

So: 11 fighters, 4 ground attack aircraft, of which the 3 Alpha jets are little more than obsolete trainers with a very basic weapons fit, and 2 airborne early warning aircraft. 

 

Not really the big time is it.

 

I wonder what the large scale troop deployments are - most Thai infantry battalions are limited to one days march from their barracks, and the kit they can carry on their backs.

Does anyone know what bases the  Chinese aircraft came from?