Overview

• Royal Thai Air Force Wing 23 welcomed the visiting PLAAF delegation on September 16 as the exercise runs September 15–25 at Udon Thani’s Wing 23 base.
• China’s Defense Ministry said it is sending multiple types of aircraft along with ground air defense units and other forces, without releasing a full official order of battle.
• Local reporting lists a Chinese contingent of six J-10 fighters, two J-11s, two JH-7s, one KJ-500 early warning aircraft, one YLG-9 electronic warfare/ELINT platform and one Y-6 tanker.
• The Royal Thai Air Force is using five Gripen fighters and four Alpha Jets for the training, according to the same report.
• This is the fourth straight year the series is hosted in Thailand and the eighth edition overall, with officials saying the drills aim to strengthen tactical proficiency and practical cooperation.