Cambodia Launches Live-Fire Naval Drill as Thai Gripens Patrol Nearby Waters

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of Facebook Thai PBS News

 

In a high-stakes move delayed by monsoon rains, the Cambodian Navy executed its first live-fire exercise on Friday, June 13, 2025. Initially set for June 11-13, the exercise forms a crucial part of Cambodia's ongoing naval training strategy.

 

Rear Admiral May Dina of the Ream Naval Base clarified that the event was designed not as a large-scale battle drill but as a focused effort to improve operational capabilities and assess weapons systems.

 

The drill involved around 50 Cambodian Navy personnel, featuring high-speed patrol craft (P2DC), armed patrol ships (P46C), and two smaller vessels. Key activities included live-fire sessions using ship-mounted machine guns, strictly a Cambodian affair with no foreign military presence.

 

Coinciding with Cambodia’s naval display, Thailand’s Squadron 701 of Wing 7 launched Gripen fighter jets on a weaponised reconnaissance mission over Koh Samui’s maritime zones.

 

This patrol, carried out by the Royal Thai Air Force, highlights Thailand’s vigilance in safeguarding its maritime sovereignty. It also aimed to familiarise Thai personnel with the region's maritime topography.

 

The use of Gripen jets symbolises Thailand's unwavering resolve to shield its citizens, territories, and national interests while abiding by international standards. The Royal Thai Air Force continually readies itself for multi-branch military operations to protect Thailand’s sovereignty.

 

As a routine procedure, these Gripen jets conduct air and maritime patrols, especially in crucial areas like the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, to monitor airspace and protect maritime interests.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-06-14

 

 

[blaze master]

Whats happening now will just give the military reasons to justify further hardware purchases. Sad.

[JoePai]

Who let the kids out of the nursery  !

[lordgrinz]

Cambodian navy? Where is that Thai submarine when you need it most? 🤪

[redwood1]

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Cambodian navy? Where is that Thai submarine when you need it most? 🤪

 

Folks the war with Cambodia is already lost due to Thailand not having a sub...

[thesetat]

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

Whats happening now will just give the military reasons to justify further hardware purchases. Sad.

Tehy do not need an excuse to buy more. The can always claim expenses for some planes they need for their aircraft carrier or engines for their subs. 

[sandrew33]

7 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Tehy do not need an excuse to buy more. The can always claim expenses for some planes they need for their aircraft carrier or engines for their subs. 

They probably buy planes for their subs TBH 😉 

[impulse]

-Rear Admiral May Dina of the Ream Naval Base

 

-Wing 7 launched Gripen fighter jets on a weaponised reconnaissance mission over Koh Samui’s maritime zones

 

The good news is that Ream naval base is far enough away from Samui that there won't be an accidental catastrophe.

 

Fingers crossed anyway.

 

[BerndD]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

 

Folks the war with Cambodia is already lost due to Thailand not having a sub...

And only the stupid Germans are to blame for this, because they do not supply the ship's diesel for the submarine.

Ban all Germans from Thailand!   😁

[newbee2022]

26 minutes ago, BerndD said:

And only the stupid Germans are to blame for this, because they do not supply the ship's diesel for the submarine.

Ban all Germans from Thailand!   😁

The Thai anthem was composed by a German actually. Please no hostilities 😂

[BerndD]

38 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

The Thai anthem was composed by a German actually. Please no hostilities 😂

If Thailand would expel the Germans, I would have to leave too. Ouch...

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

Folks the war with Cambodia is already lost due to Thailand not having a sub...

 

Irrelevant.

 

Thailand has an aircraft carrier AND a fleet of blimps.

[BerndD]

4 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Irrelevant.

 

Thailand has an aircraft carrier AND a fleet of blimps.

I read first: .. a fleet of pimps.😁

[NoDisplayName]

1 minute ago, BerndD said:

I read first: .. a fleet of pimps.😁

 

Calm down, breathe, relax.

 

Don't be an offended liver sausage!

[John Drake]

Come on, Trump. Time to donate 200 F16s and support facilities to the Cambodians for free.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

Who let the kids out of the nursery  !

General quarters ?

[black tabby12345]

5 hours ago, John Drake said:

Come on, Trump. Time to donate 200 F16s and support facilities to the Cambodians for free.

 

US will not.

Cambodia is politically and economically taken over by China already.

[black tabby12345]

7 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Irrelevant.

 

Thailand has an aircraft carrier AND a fleet of blimps.

 

Thailand has a flattop.

But their planes were unloaded 19 years ago; no budget to keep them on that boat. You can easily check it out on internet.