RTAF launches ‘Falcon Strike 2022’

The Regal Thai Air Power (RTAF) launched a 12-day joint air flow exercise, codenamed Falcon Strike 2022, using its Chinese counterpart in Udon Thani the other day.

The particular drills, which will take place until Aug 25, are meant to improve both nations’ capacities regarding joint air procedures, said  RTAF speaker VM Prapas Sonjaidee.

The particular exercises will also deepen ties between the nations’ military forces, which will help safeguard peace and security in the region, the particular spokesman added.

China will  deploy six J-10C/S fighter jets, the JH-7AI bomber along with a Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning plus control aircraft for your exercises, a source said, adding  Su-27 jet fighter jets will not be active in the drills.

Meanwhile, the  RTAF will deploy five Gripen aircraft, 3 Alphajet attack plane and a SAAB 340 AEW early caution and control plane.

US-made F16 jets will not participate in the exercises, said the source.

The exercise  is the fifth of its kind since 2015.

The previous round of mutual exercises with The far east was held in 2019, which was also prepared at Udon Thani’s Wing 23.

Falcon Strike 2022 is one of several bilateral shared exercises that Thailand’s air force provides agreed to take part in.

Other significant drills include the  Cope Tiger workout involving Singaporean plus US air factors, the Thai-Malay LandEx Thamal war online games, the Thai-Indonesian  Elang Thainesia exercises as well as the Thai-Australian drills codenamed Thai Boomerang.