China Mil Watch Mandarin-source monitoring · Chinese military & security reporting
Independent monitor
Official PRC military media, read in the original
← Daily Brief
Exercises Military Diplomacy

China-Thailand "Falcon Strike-2026" joint air force training exercise kicks off

China Military Online (EN) 14 August 2026
View original source ↗
About this analysis
Summary
The ninth iteration of the China-Thailand 'Falcon Strike' bilateral air exercise opened at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, with the PLA Air Force deploying multiple combat aircraft types and surface-to-air missile troops alongside Royal Thai Air Force counterparts. The inclusion of surface-to-air missile units alongside fighters extends the exercise's scope beyond air-to-air training into integrated air defense, documenting a gradual broadening of what the two sides practice together across successive iterations.
Translation

The Chinese PLA Air Force's J-10C fighter jet (left) conducts formation flight with the JAS39 Gripen of the Royal Thai Air Force during the China-Thailand "Falcon Strike 2024" joint air force training exercise. BEIJING, August 14 -- The adaptation training for the China-Thailand "Falcon Strike-2026" joint air force training exercise was recently kicked off at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. This marks the ninth joint training conducted by the two sides. China dispatched multiple types of combat aircraft and surface-to-air missile troops to participate in the training. Both sides will conduct training on such subjects as joint air defense and humanitarian medical rescue.

Original text
The Chinese PLA Air Force's J-10C fighter jet (left) conducts formation flight with the JAS39 Gripen of the Royal Thai Air Force during the China-Thailand "Falcon Strike 2024" joint air force training exercise. BEIJING, August 14 -- The adaptation training for the China-Thailand "Falcon Strike-2026" joint air force training exercise was recently kicked off at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. This marks the ninth joint training conducted by the two sides. China dispatched multiple types of combat aircraft and surface-to-air missile troops to participate in the training. Both sides will conduct training on such subjects as joint air defense and humanitarian medical rescue.