By Reuters December 8, 2025, 11:13:09 AM IST (Published)
Thailand has launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, its military said, after both countries accused each other of breaching a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. Tensions have simmered since Thailand last month suspended de‑escalation measures after a Thai soldier was maimed in the latest in a succession of incidents involving landmines that Bangkok says were newly laid by Cambodia. Cambodia rejects the allegations.
BUDGETS AND GROUND PERSONNEL
Cambodia had a defence budget of $1.3 billion in 2024 and 124,300 active military personnel. The armed forces were established in 1993 from the merger of the country’s former Communist military and two other resistance armies. The Cambodian army is the largest branch, with roughly 75,000 soldiers, more than 200 battle tanks and around 480 pieces of artillery.
Thailand, which the US classifies as a major non‑NATO ally, has a larger, better‑funded military, with a defence budget of $5.73 billion in 2024 and over 360,000 active personnel. The Thai army numbers about 245,000 personnel, including an estimated 115,000 conscripts, and fields around 400 battle tanks, over 1,200 armoured personnel carriers and some 2,600 artillery systems. The army also operates its own aircraft fleet, including transport planes, dozens of US‑made Black Hawk helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
AIR FORCES
Cambodia’s air force has about 1,500 personnel and a relatively small fleet, including 10 transport planes and 10 transport helicopters. It does not possess fighter aircraft but fields 16 multi‑role helicopters, such as six Soviet‑era Mi‑17s and 10 Chinese Z‑9s.
Thailand has one of Southeast Asia’s best‑equipped and trained air forces, with an estimated 46,000 personnel and about 112 combat‑capable aircraft, including 28 F‑16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighters, plus dozens of helicopters.
NAVIES
The Cambodian navy has an estimated 2,800 personnel, including 1,500 naval infantry, and operates 13 patrol and coastal combat vessels and one amphibious landing craft.
Thailand’s navy is far larger, with nearly 70,000 personnel encompassing naval aviation, marines, coastal defence and conscripts. It fields one aircraft carrier, seven frigates and 68 patrol and coastal combat vessels, as well as several amphibious and landing ships capable of carrying hundreds of troops and 14 smaller landing craft. Thailand’s naval aviation also operates helicopters and UAVs, and its marine corps numbers about 23,000 personnel supported by numerous armed fighting vehicles.
Also Read: https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/thailand-launches-airstrikes-along-border-with-cambodia-as-tensions-reignite-19783604.htm
