The Air Force has provided "continuous support" to the army in missions along the border with Cambodia with both Gripen and F-16 between July 24 and 28, says spokesperson Prapas Sornjaidee on Tuesday according to Thai The Nation.
The purpose has been to "defend the country's sovereignty, reduce the risks for civilians and create strategic conditions that favor ongoing peace negotiations", it says further.
Day and night
During the missions, which have been carried out during both day and night, the Air Force RTAF has carried out "precision attacks on military targets that have been considered a threat to Thailand's security". Among other things, they are said to have destroyed ammunition depots and command centers, according to the spokesperson.
Prapas Sornjaidee says that Thailand's use of the Air Force is entirely in accordance with international law as they exercise their right to self-defense.
Want to buy more
Thailand has purchased twelve Swedish Gripens of model C/D 8 and has eleven planes left since one crashed in 2017. Saab signed the first contract with the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) related to this in 2008. The country is in the middle of negotiations to buy more Gripens from Saab, which may be affected by the border conflict. This is, as far as is known, the first time Gripen planes have been used in military attacks.
After five days of fighting, a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia came into force on Monday evening Swedish time, but Thailand accuses Cambodia on Tuesday of having breached the ceasefire.
