The Air Force Commander revealed that the Thai-Cambodian clash operation was systematically planned, but overall results were satisfactory, emphasizing four criteria for procuring replacement weapons.
On 17 July 2026 GMT+7, Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, the Air Force Commander, explained to the Special Committee reviewing the 2027 annual budget bill about the damage impact from the Thai-Cambodian armed clash. He stated that the military has a systematic process of situation assessment, planning, and intelligence coordination. Although tactical operations cannot guarantee 100% success, the plans and strategies led to satisfactory outcomes. He confirmed that the Air Force suffered no direct damage from the opposing side, only the loss of equipment used in the mission.
Regarding the Air Force's military equipment procurement approach for this year's budget, the Commander emphasized that it focuses on replacing weapons nearing expiration or loss to maintain operational readiness. The four key procurement criteria are: 1. Capabilities must meet the military’s requirements; 2. Maintenance systems must be easy, convenient, and continuous; 3. Ability to connect with existing network systems; and 4. Price must be reasonable and cost-effective.