Thai-Kambodian conflict: US alliance meets China-bound opponents
Thai-Kambodian conflict: US alliance meets China-bound opponents
the Tödliche Allies of the United States with decades of experience against a relatively young force with close connections to China. Bangkok and Phnom Penh are fighting for a territory that has been controversial since France over a century ago.
estimates on the armed forces
The Thai armed forces significantly exceed the Cambodia, both in terms of the number of people and on armament. With a total of 361,000 active military members in all branches of the Thai army, Thailand is three times as strong as Cambodia. These troops are equipped with weapons that the Cambodian soldiers can only dream of.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IIS) states in his report "Military Balance 2025": "Thailand has a large, well -financed military, and its Air Force is one of the best -equipped and trained in Southeast Asia." According to the Asia Power Index 2024 of the Lowy Institute, the Thai military is seven places in its ratings of the military capabilities of 27 countries in the region. Thailand occupies 14th place, Cambodia the 23rd
strong US relationships and global perspectives
The military Thailand plays an important role in the country's political landscape. The country has been dominated by a conservative establishment for years, which consists of the military, monarchy and influential elites. According to the CIA World Factbook, the military has taken power in 20 state places since 1932, often under the fall of democratic governments, and sees itself as the ultimate defender of the monarchy.
Thailand is a contractual partner of the United States, a status that goes back to the signing of the Southeast Asia collective defense package, also known as a Manila pact, in 1954. During the Vietnam War, Thailand housed US Air Force Associations at various military bases. One of the many Thai troops who fought against the communist Nordvietnam on the side of the South Vietnam supported by the USA were thousands.
The close relationships between Washington and Bangkok continue to exist. Thailand is classified by the United States as an important non-Nato ally, which gives him special advantages and has given it access to decades of US support for its armaments programs. Every year, Thailand, together with the US Indo Pacific command, conducts the Cobra Gold Military Exercise, which started in 1982 as joint exercises with the USA and has gained numerous other participants since then.
Cambodia military support from China
Compared to Thailand, the military is relatively young and was founded in 1993 after the armed forces of the Communist government were merged with two non-communist resistance armies. According to the IISS, the most important international defense relationships are in Cambodia to China and Vietnam. Although the country traditionally rely on Russia for defense material, China has become a decisive supplier.
Beijing even developed a naval base in Cambodia. According to international analysts Chinese aircraft carriers, the REAM naval base on the Gulf Coast of Thailand could accommodate. Cambodia and China completed the seventh edition of their annual joint military exercise "Goldener Dragon" in May, which was advertised as the greatest of all time and contained live shooting scenarios.
military equipment and strategic orientation
The Royal Thai Air Force is well equipped, based on years of US support, and has at least 11 modern Swedish grip-hunting aircraft as well as dozens of older US F-16 and F-5 jets. Cambodia has no battle -capable air force. On land, Thailand has dozens of fighter tanks, including 60 modern, Chinese-produced VT-4 tanks, as well as hundreds of older US tanks. According to the report "Military Balance", the Thai army has more than 600 artillery shooters, including at least 56 powerful 155 mm weapons and more than 550 105 mm-drawn guns. Cambodia only has a dozen 155 mm guns and around 400 smaller pulled artillery shooters. In the air, the Thai army has US Cobra attacks and 18 US-Black HAWK transport helicopters, while Cambodia only has a few dozen older Soviet and Chinese transport helicopters.The next steps in conflict
Carl Schuster, a military analyst based in Hawaii and former director of operations in the Joint Intelligence Center of the US Pacific Command, explained that Thailand has numerous and qualitative military superiority, Cambodia has an advantage-namely the actual country along the controversial border. "The terrain promotes access from Cambodian territory to the controversial area," said Schuster.
Since Cambodian forces are supposed to move land mines and explosive traps in the controversial area, Thailand can probably fall back on long -distance weapons. "The Royal Thai Air Force is superior and their special forces are superior," added Schuster. "I think the Thai people will rely on air force and long -distance fireplace in conflict."
Kommentare (0)