Exercises Military Diplomacy

[Bilingual] China and Thailand to Hold "Falcon Strike-2026" Joint Air Force Training

【双语】中泰将举行“鹰击-2026”空军联合训练

PLA Daily (解放军报) 30 July 2026

Summary

China and Thailand will hold Falcon Strike-2026 joint air force training in Thailand in August, with the PLA dispatching multiple aircraft types and ground-based air defense units to train on joint air defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside Thai forces. This is the ninth iteration of the Falcon Strike series, making it one of the PLA Air Force's most institutionalized bilateral exercise programs in Southeast Asia. The announcement documents the exercise's continued cadence but leaves the specific aircraft types and unit designations unspecified.

Translation

China-Thailand Falcon Strike 2026 Joint Air Force Training to Be Held

On the afternoon of July 30, the Ministry of National Defense held a routine press conference, at which Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin released the following announcement.

Jiang Bin: China and Thailand will hold "Falcon Strike-2026" joint air force training in Thailand in August. The Chinese side will dispatch multiple types of aircraft and ground-based air defense forces and other elements to conduct joint training with the Thai side on subjects including joint air defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This is the ninth time the two countries' air forces have held this series of joint training, and it is aimed at further deepening traditional friendship and practical cooperation between the two countries.

Jiang Bin: The Chinese and Thai militaries will hold Falcon Strike 2026 joint air force training in Thailand in August. The Chinese side will send multiple types of aircraft and units including ground-based air defense forces. The two sides will train on subjects including joint air defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The training marks the ninth of its kind between the two air forces and is aimed at further deepening China-Thailand traditional friendship and practical cooperation.

Original Chinese

China-Thailand Falcon Strike 2026 Joint Air Force Training to Be Held 7月30日下午，国防部举行例行记者会，国防部新闻发言人蒋斌大校发布消息。蒋斌：中国与泰国将于8月在泰举行“鹰击-2026”空军联合训练，中方派出多型飞机及地面防空等力量，与泰方开展联合防空、人道主义救援等课目演练。这是两国空军第9次举行该系列联训，旨在进一步深化传统友谊与务实合作。 Jiang Bin:The Chinese and Thai militaries will hold Falcon Strike 2026 joint air force training in Thailand in August. The Chinese side will send multiple types of aircraft and units including ground-based air defense forces. The two sides will train on subjects including joint air defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The training marks the ninth of its kind between the two air forces and is aimed at further deepening China-Thailand traditional friendship and practical cooperation.