22-8-2024 (BANGKOK) China and Thailand have embarked on their most complex joint military exercises to date, incorporating special forces for the first time. The drills, dubbed Falcon Strike 2024, commenced on Sunday in northeast Thailand and are set to continue until 29 August.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reports that these exercises are markedly more comprehensive than previous collaborations between the two nations. The drills encompass a wide range of military operations, including cross-border support, force deployment, joint air defence, deterrence, and debriefing.
Fu Qianshao, a military analyst and former People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officer, described the exercises as containing “all the elements needed for a small-scale war”. He emphasised the shift from joint training to a more realistic combat nature, calling it a “significant change with far-reaching implications”.
A notable aspect of this year’s exercises is the inclusion of special forces and helicopter drills. Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, highlighted the significance of combining China’s long-range Y-20 transport planes with special forces operations. He suggested that the drills might include airdropping troops “deep into enemy areas to occupy certain important targets and capture important personnel”.
The exercises are taking place at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, a location formerly utilised by the US Air Force. This choice of venue adds an intriguing geopolitical dimension to the drills, given the historical context of US-Thai relations.
These joint exercises come as part of China’s broader strategy to strengthen defence relations across Southeast Asia, potentially as a counterbalance to US influence in the region. China has recently conducted similar exercises with Cambodia and Laos, and has agreed to boost security cooperation with Vietnam.
Thailand’s participation is particularly noteworthy, given its status as the only US ally on the Southeast Asian mainland. The relationship between Thailand and the United States has been under strain since the 2014 military coup, providing an opening for China to expand its influence.
