Codenamed 'Eagle Strike 2022', China-Thai Air Forces Hold Joint Exercises

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Chinese and Thai air forces have agreed to conduct a joint exercise codenamed "Eagle Attack 2022" which will be held at the Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAF) in Udorn Thani, Thailand, for ten days starting Sunday (14/8).

China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on its official website, Friday (12/8), said the materials for the joint exercise included air support, ground target attacks, and deployment of troops on a small to large scale.

Reported by ANTARA, Saturday, August 13, the joint exercise aims to increase mutual trust and strengthen friendship between the two countries' air forces and enhance practical cooperation in a comprehensive strategic partnership, MND said.

The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) deployed six J-10C/S fighter jets, JH-7AI (1) bomber jets, and Shaanxi KJ-500 (1) early reconnaissance aircraft in the exercise in Thailand.

Meanwhile, the RTAF included Gripen (5), Alphajet (3) attack aircraft, and SAAB 340 AEW (1) early reconnaissance aircraft.

The PLAAF and RTAF have conducted five joint exercises since 2015 and most recently in 2019 in Udorn Thani.

The joint China-Thai air combat exercise was supposed to be held annually, but was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ten-day exercise was held amid the recent heated situation in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

In equipping its air combat equipment, Thailand buys from Western countries, including the United States, which is currently China's main rival in the defense sector. However, Thailand's naval fleet and ground combat equipment were purchased from China.

The joint air force exercise in Udorn Thani is thought to be a form of exploring further cooperation between the Thai and Chinese militaries.

Udorn Thani is the base of the RTAF's 23rd Air Command Wing located in northeastern Thailand.