China sending fighter jets to Thailand for joint drills

Falcon Strike exercise to be held in northern Thailand near the border with Laos on Sunday

Drills come as the US holds largest Super Garuda Shield exercises in Indonesia, with Australia, Japan and Singapore also taking part

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Chinese fighter jets and bombers will be taking part in the joint exercises in northern Thailand. Photo: via AP

Published: 4:04pm, 13 Aug 2022

The Chinese air force is sending fighter jets and bombers to Thailand for a joint exercise with the Thai military on Sunday.

The training will include air support, strikes on ground targets and both small- and large-scale troop deployment, the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

China’s expanding military activities in the Asia-Pacific region have alarmed the United States and its allies, and form part of a growing strategic and economic competition that has inflamed tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Thailand in June as part of an effort to strengthen what he called the US’ “unparalleled network of alliances and partnerships” in the region.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reviews an honour guard alongside Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prayuth Chan-ocha. Photo: Reuters

The Chinese-Thai “Falcon Strike” exercise will be held at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in northern Thailand near the border with Laos. Thai fighter jets and airborne early warning aircraft from both countries will also take part.