Bangkok: The Royal Thai Air Force has dispatched F-16 and Gripen fighter jets to intercept Cambodian curved-missile weapons targeting Thai territory. The operation took place at the Phum Makhuea battlefield and near the Ta Muen Thom temple, achieving success with all aircraft safely returning to base.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation commenced on July 26, 2015, when the Thai Air Force launched two F-16s and two Gripens to target the Cambodian military positioned at Phum Makhuea. The Cambodian forces were reportedly preparing to use curved-trajectory weapons to gain control of the area. The Thai Air Force's intervention successfully neutralized the threat.
A secondary point of contention was the Ta Muen Thom temple, where Cambodian forces had established artillery positions. The Thai Air Force's swift actions led to the destruction of these targets, effectively safeguarding Thai territory from indiscriminate artillery fire.
The deployment marked a significant milestone for the Gripen fighter jets, which were utilized for combat missions with real weapons for the first time. Historically, Gripens have been employed for territorial defense missions, such as those in the Baltic Sea as part of NATO, during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and in the Libyan airspace protection mission, involving the Swedish Air Force.