ថៃបានធ្វើសមយុទ្ធទ័ពអាកាសជាមួយចិន ដែលជាសត្រូវរបស់សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក

Thailand, a United States-designated major non-NATO ally, conducted an air force exercise with U.S. adversary China after a drill with American forces.

China’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that it will deploy multiple types of aircraft and air-defense ground forces to Thailand for Exercise Falcon Strike 2025 in September, following the end of Exercise Enduring Partners 2025, a U.S.-Thai training event held between August 17 and 29 in the Southeast Asian country.

Why It Matters

“Major non-NATO ally” is a designation that provides countries with benefits in defense trade and security cooperation. While it symbolizes close relations between the two sides, it does not entail any U.S. security commitments to the designated country.

Thailand, which has maintained formal diplomatic relations with the U.S. since 1833, is among 19 countries designated as major non-NATO allies. Other designated countries in East and Southeast Asia include Japan, the Philippines and South Korea.

As part of its great power competition with the U.S., China is expanding its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia amid tensions over sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. It has also maintained a military footprint in Cambodia, a neighbor of Thailand.

What To Know

Exercise Falcon Strike 2025, now in its eighth edition and the fourth consecutive year conducted in Thailand, aims to enhance the capabilities of the participating troops and deepen mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides, according to the Chinese military.

According to the Royal Thai Air Force, the exercise commenced on Thursday at an air base in Udon Thani province and is scheduled to conclude on September 25. Photos released on Tuesday show the arrival of the Chinese air force detachment in Thailand.

The purpose of the exercise was to develop air operation capabilities, the Royal Thai Air Force said, adding that the exchange of aviation experiences between the two sides strengthened relations, improved mutual understanding and promoted regional security.

Meanwhile, Exercise Enduring Partners 2025, which involved the Royal Thai Air Force and the Washington National Guard, was launched in Korat province with activities taking place across Thailand. It aimed to boost readiness and strengthen military ties.

Training events included flying with 92 sorties, ground-controlled interception, Air Force special warfare, cyber defense, combat communication, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and space operations, according to the Washington Air National Guard.

In addition to war games with China and the U.S., the Royal Thai Air Force concluded Exercise Thai Boomerang 2025, held in Korat province with the Royal Australian Air Force, on Friday. The drill featured over 500 personnel and fighter jets from both sides.

This year marked the 15th iteration of the exercise, which included air combat training and scenarios in large force employment, as well as close air support for ground forces.

What People Are Saying

The Washington Air National Guard, in a press release on September 3: “The exchange continues to advance the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, which formally began between the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Washington National Guard in 2002. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Pacific Air Forces prioritize strengthening alliances and partnerships to ensure regional peace and prosperity.”

Royal Australian Air Force Wing Commander Trent Baldry, commanding officer of the No. 1 Squadron, in a press release on September 10: “Exercise Thai Boomerang is a valuable opportunity to learn from one another through combined air combat training. The profiles and scenarios are from across the spectrum of combat air power.”

What Happens Next

China is likely to continue deepening its military ties with Southeast Asian countries through exercises, signaling its power and influence in the region.