As hostilities break out between Cambodia and Thailand, analysis of their military capabilities shows a growing disparity.

随着柬埔寨和泰国之间爆发敌对行动，对其军事能力的分析显示差距越来越大。

 

Richard Thomas

July 25, 2025

理查德·托马斯

2025年7月25日

 

Thailand and Cambodia have engaged in renewed hostilities. Credit: OMG_Studio/Shutterstock.com

泰国和柬埔寨再次陷入敌对状态。图片来源：OMG_Studio/Shutterstock.com

 

The deadly clashes that have broken out between Cambodia and Thailand represent the latest instance of a long-running dispute between the two old rivals centred on a shared 800km-long border, with hostilities in recent months culminating in this new outbreak.

柬埔寨和泰国之间爆发的致命冲突是这两个老对手之间长期争端的最新例子，争端集中在800公里长的共同边界上，最近几个月的敌对行动最终导致了这场新的疫情。

 

Flaring up on 24 July, the fighting has seen leading players in the international community calling for calm, with the US stating it was “gravely concerned” by reports of escalating attacks along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

这场战斗于2025年7月24日爆发，国际社会的主要参与者呼吁保持冷静，美国表示对柬泰边境袭击升级的报道“严重关切”。

 

“We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes,” said a US State Department spokesperson on 24 July.

美国国务院发言人7月24日表示：“我们强烈敦促立即停止袭击，保护平民，和平解决争端。”

 

ASEAN countries, China, and Australia have also all called for calm.

东盟国家、中国和澳大利亚也呼吁保持冷静。

 

As Thailand’s acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai says on 25 July that the latest exchange of fire, which has resulted in more than a dozen fatalities, could push the countries into a state of war, Army Technology takes a look at their respective military capabilities.

泰国代理总理Phumtham Wechayachai在7月25日表示，最近的交火已经导致了十多个人死亡，这可能会把两国推向战争状态。陆军技术公司研究了他们各自的军事能力。

 

Cambodia vs Thailand: defence budgets

柬埔寨与泰国：国防预算

 

The most recent data available from analytics firm GlobalData states that in 2024, the Thai government allocated $4.4bn to its total defence budget, representing a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4% from 2020-2024.

分析公司GlobalData的最新数据显示，2024年，泰国政府将其国防预算总额拨款44亿美元，代表2020-2024年的负复合年增长率（CAGR）为-1.4%。

 

However, Thailand’s military spending was forecast to register a CAGR of 5.8% during 2025-2029, reaching $5.9bn. The 2024 acquisition budget of $1.2bn was expected to grow to $1.7bn in 2029.

然而，泰国的军费开支预计在2025-2029年期间以5.8%的复合年增长率增长，达到59亿美元。2024年的采购预算为12亿美元，预计到2029年将增长至17亿美元。

 

By contrast, Cambodia operates an annual defence budget of around $1.3bn, according to data from the UK-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).

相比之下，根据英国国际战略研究所（IISS）的数据，柬埔寨的年度国防预算约为13亿美元。

 

Despite the apparent disparity in defence spending, the mainly mountainous and forested border shared between the two countries offers a natural barrier, where air power and long-range strike will be favoured.

尽管国防开支存在明显差异，但两国之间共享的主要是山区和森林的边界提供了一道天然屏障，在那里将有利于空中力量和远程打击。

 

The border does include areas of lowland and urban areas, where more traditional land domain capabilities would be viable, as well as a maritime border, which sees a contested patchwork of claims between Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand.

边界确实包括低地和城市地区，在这些地区，更传统的陆域能力是可行的，以及海上边界，泰国、柬埔寨、马来西亚和越南在泰国湾的主张争夺不休。

 

Cambodia vs Thailand: land domain

柬埔寨vs泰国：陆地领域

 

Thailand’s land forces comprise a mix of older equipment from the US and Europe, with newer platforms obtained from China and Ukraine, the latter prior to the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war. In particular, Thailand acquired 74 Chinese origin VT-4 main battle tanks (MBT) between 2017-2023 and 49 T-84 Oplot MBTs in the mid-2010s.

泰国陆军装备体系融合了欧美制造的老旧坦克与来自中国、乌克兰的新式主战平台，其中乌克兰装备是在俄乌战争爆发前采购的。具体而言，泰国在2017至2023年间引进了74辆中国制造的VT-4主战坦克（MBT），并在2010年代中期采购了49辆T-84奥普特主战坦克。

 

The country’s mixed mobility armour is a mix of 8×8 platforms, including around 130 Stryker M1126 infantry fighting vehicles, with some 100 older tracked FV101 Scorpion light tanks. It also maintains more than 200 BTR armoured personnel carriers (APC) across numerous variants.

该国的混合机动装甲部队由8×8平台组成，包括约130辆斯“斯崔克”(STRYKER)M1126步兵战车，以及约100辆较旧的履带式FV101蝎式轻型坦克。此外，该国还拥有超过200辆不同型号的BTR装甲运兵车（APC）。

 

Thailand has acquired VT-4 MBTs from China in recent years. Credit: sivapornphaiboon1983/Shutterstock.com

泰国近年来从中国购买了VT-4主战坦克。图片来源：sivapornphaiboon1983/Shutterstock.com

 

Thailand’s artillery and indirect fire force is considerable, containing platforms obtained in the 1990s through to the 2010s, including GHN-45 155mm howitzers (~54 units), the ATMOS 2000 155mm (~15 units), around 40 of the old M109 155mm systems, and a small number (less then ten) of the French CAESAR 155mm platform.

泰国的火炮和间接火力部队相当可观，包括在1990年至2010年获得的平台，包括GHN-45 155毫米榴弹炮(~54个单位）、ATMOS 2000 155毫米(~15个单位）、大约40个旧的M109 155毫米系统，以及少量（不到10辆）法国“凯撒”(CAESAR,法语“配备火炮系统的卡车”的缩写) 155毫米平台。

 

Cambodia primarily obtains its equipment from China and Russia, operating several hundred Cold War-era T54 and T55 MBTs, as well as a small number of China-origin Type 59 tanks. Its IFV and APC fleets turn to older BTR variants, while more recent acquisitions include new Tigr and Dongfeng 4x4s from Russia and China respectively.

柬埔寨主要从中国和俄罗斯采购装备，拥有数百辆冷战时期的T54和T55主战坦克，以及少量中国制造的59式坦克。其步兵战车和装甲运兵车部队改用较老的BTR型号，而近期采购的新装备包括来自俄罗斯的新型虎式步兵战车和来自中国的东风4x4。

 

Cambodia’s MBT force consists mainly of Cold War-era vehicle, such as the Type 59. Credit: John Bill/Shutterstock.com

柬埔寨的MBT部队主要由冷战时期的车辆组成，如59型。图片来源：John Bill/Shutterstock.com

 

In addition, in May 2025, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces officially unveiled the integration of two new Chinese-made air defence systems: the QW-3 Vanguard man-portable surface-to-air missile and the TH-S311 ‘Smart Com-Smart Hunter’ command and control system.

此外，柬埔寨皇家武装部队于2025年5月正式列装了两种新型国产防空系统：QW-3“前卫”便携式地对空导弹和TH-S311“智能指挥-智能猎手”指挥控制系统。

 

The country’s ground-based long-range fires primarily consists of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) according to the IISS, numbering over 300 units, including a small number of the advanced PHL-03 MLRS from China, which is armed with 300mm munitions that can fire to range of over 120km.

根据国际战略研究所（IISS）的统计，该国地面远程火炮主要由300多套多管火箭发射系统（MLRS）组成，其中包括少量中国产的先进PHL-03型MLRS，该型火炮可发射300毫米弹药，射程超过120公里。

 

Cambodia vs Thailand: naval domain

柬埔寨与泰国：海军领域

 

The two countries operate relatively small navies, although Thailand’s is the larger of the pair, with up to 16 frigates and corvettes, including Chinese-origin Type 053/H2 (six) from the 1990s and a single Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate, based on a South Korean design, capable of full spectrum operations.

这两个国家的海军规模相对较小，尽管泰国的海军规模较大，拥有多达16艘护卫舰和轻型护卫舰，其中包括上世纪90年代中国制造的6艘053/H2型护卫舰，以及一艘基于韩国设计、能够进行全方位作战的普密蓬·阿杜德级护卫舰。

 

In addition, the Royal Thai Navy also operates the world’s smallest aircraft carrier, the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, displacing just over 11,000 tonnes and built as a scaled version of Spain’s larger Principe de Asturias class by Navantia.

此外，泰国皇家海军还操作着世界上最小的航空母舰差克里·纳吕贝特号，排水量略高于11000吨，由纳万蒂亚（Navantia）公司建造，是西班牙更大的阿斯图里亚斯王子级的缩放版。

 

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet in the South China Sea in 2001. Credit: USN

2001年，差克里·纳吕贝特号在南海。图片来源：USN

 

The vessel now operates as a helicopter carrier, embarking MH-60S and S-70B rotary platforms, having seen the disbanding of its AV-8B STOVL fighters in 2006. The HTMS Chakri Naruebet has also had extremely poor availability in recent years.

该舰目前作为直升机航母使用，搭载MH-60S和S-70B旋翼平台，其AV-8B短距起降战斗机于2006年解散。差克里·纳吕贝特号近年来的可用性也极差。

 

In comparison, Cambodia has again sourced its assets from China and Russia, mainly fast patrol boats and maritime patrol cutters, with between 10-20 units thought to be operational.

相比之下，柬埔寨再次从中国和俄罗斯采购资产，主要是快速巡逻艇和海上巡逻艇，据信有10-20艘可供使用。

 

A PLAN Type 056 corvette in Hong Kong harbour in 2021. Credit: Dragon Claws/Shutterstock.com

2021年，香港港的056型护卫舰。图片来源：龙爪/Shutterstock.com

 

China is expected to hand over two of its Type 056 corvettes to Cambodia, as ties between the two countries continue to develop. China is also purported to maintain de-facto control over Ream naval base, a strategic port from which to project Beijing’s aims in the region.

随着两国关系的持续发展，中国预计将向柬埔寨移交两艘056型护卫舰。据称，中国还对雷姆海军基地保持实际控制，该战略港口是北京在该地区投射目标的基地。

 

Cambodia vs Thailand: air domain

柬埔寨与泰国：领空

 

The relative disparity in the two countries’ air forces continuous from where the naval domain left off, with Thailand operating fixed-wing combat fighters, airborne early warning platforms, and light attack aircraft, both fixed and rotary.

两国空军的相对差异从海军领域结束的地方开始，泰国拥有固定翼战斗机、空中预警平台和轻型攻击机，包括固定式和旋翼式。

 

Specifically, Thailand can count on 11 JAS-39 Gripen fighters of the C and D variants in its fleet, as well as a theoretical fleet of around 50 F-16 multirole through to the Block 15 B variants, which have reportedly been used in the recent hostilities. Around 19 US-origin F5 fighters are also in service, acquired in the late-1970s, now heavily modernised.

具体而言，泰国现役机队拥有11架JAS-39“鹰狮”战斗机（C型和D型），理论上还具备约50架F-16多用途战机的作战能力，其中包含已投入近期军事行动的Block 15 B型。此外，该国还部署了约19架美国制造的F-5战斗机，这些战机采购于20世纪70年代末，目前已完成全面现代化升级。

 

Thailand operates a range of advanced fighters, including the JAS-39. Credit: bluebearwing/Shutterstock.com

泰国拥有一系列先进的战斗机，包括JAS-39。图片来源：bluebedieng/Shutterstock.com

 

Thailand recently ordered 12 further JAS-39 aircraft of the modern E/F variants, in replacement of some of its older F-16 fighters. The close relationship with Sweden continues with the Royal Thai Air Force operating Saab 340 airborne early warning aircraft, key enablers in the modern battlespace.

泰国最近又订购了12架现代化E/F改型的JAS-39飞机，以取代其一些旧的F-16战斗机。与瑞典的密切关系仍在继续，泰国皇家空军操作着萨博340机载预警机，这是现代战场的关键推动者。

 

Meanwhile, Cambodia operates a range of Chinese and Russian-origin rotary platforms for transport and combat operations. Phnom Penh also operates a small number of fixed-wing L-39C jet trainers, configured in a patrol and ground attack variant, which will be replaced by the newer NG version.

与此同时，柬埔寨操作着一系列源自中国和俄罗斯的旋翼平台，用于运输和作战行动。金边还操作着少量固定翼L-39C喷气式教练机，配置为巡逻和地面攻击型，将被更新的NG型号所取代。

 

Cambodia vs Thailand: military conclusion

柬埔寨vs泰国：军事结论

 

In purely military terms, Thailand holds a distinct advantage, able to leverage its superiority in the air through its F-16 and JAS-39 fighters for long-range strike operations. This trend continues in the naval domain with the clear advantage to the Royal Thai Navy, although any shift from the current state of hostilities into the maritime domain would be a significant escalation.

从纯粹的军事角度来看，泰国拥有明显的优势，能够通过其F-16和JAS-39战斗机利用其空中优势进行远程打击行动。这一趋势在海军领域继续发展，对泰国皇家海军具有明显优势，尽管从目前的敌对状态向海上领域的任何转变都将是一次重大升级。

 

In the land domain, with the majority of the border difficult effectively inaccessible for heavy armour, the concentration of forces through low-land and urban choke points in the would be vulnerable to indirect and long-range fires.

在陆地领域，由于重型装甲部队难以有效进入大部分边境，通过低地和城市瓶颈集中兵力将容易受到间接和远程火力的影响。

 

A great leveller in modern combat operations, the use of massed strike drones and one way attack munitions, is also a factor that needs to be considered. However, it is not known to what extent either side has sought to modernise its concepts of operations to those being seen in the Ukraine-Russia war.

在现代作战行动中，使用大规模无人机和单向攻击弹药也是一个需要考虑的因素。然而，目前尚不清楚双方在多大程度上试图将其作战概念现代化，以适应乌克兰-俄罗斯战争中的情况。