Some of the Direct Beneficiaries of the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict

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Defense Contractors Involved in the 2025 Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict

The 2025 Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, centered on the disputed Preah Vihear temple area, escalated in July 2025 with artillery exchanges, airstrikes, and drone operations. Below is a compiled list of key defense contractors and suppliers whose equipment was reportedly used or highlighted in the clashes, based on available reports. I've organized it by country of supply, indicating the recipient side (Cambodia or Thailand) and examples of supplied items. This focuses on confirmed or alleged usage during the conflict, drawing from military analyses and news sources. Note that many systems are legacy acquisitions, and direct "behind-the-scenes" orchestration is not evidenced—rather, these are arms providers fueling the escalation.

Chinese Contractors (Primarily to Cambodia; Some to Thailand)
- China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO): Supplied multiple rocket launchers (e.g., PHL-03, PHL-90B, PHL-81) and artillery (e.g., SH-1/PCL-09 howitzers) to Cambodia; also provided PHL-11/SR-4 rocket systems and WS-series tech for Thailand's DTI-1/DTI-1G rockets. Accusations of new supplies to Cambodia were denied by Beijing.
- China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC): Provided surface-to-air missiles (e.g., HQ-12/KS-1C) and grenade launchers (e.g., LG4) to Cambodia.
- Other Chinese Entities (e.g., Norinco affiliates or state firms): Small arms (e.g., Type 56 rifles, Type 54 pistols) and rocket launchers (e.g., Type 69-1) to Cambodia; Z-9 helicopters for Cambodian utility roles.

U.S. Contractors (Primarily to Thailand)
- Lockheed Martin: F-16 Fighting Falcon jets used by Thailand for airstrikes on Cambodian positions.
- Raytheon Technologies: Paveway II laser-guided bombs and AGM-65 Maverick missiles deployed by Thai F-16s.
- BAE Systems: M109 self-propelled howitzers used in Thai artillery barrages (legacy U.S. supply).

Israeli Contractors (To Thailand)
- Elbit Systems: ATMOS 2000 (ATMOS-2000/M758) truck-mounted 155mm howitzers used for precision strikes; also implicated in broader Thai artillery modernization.
- Israel Weapon Industries (IWI): Negev light machine guns employed in ground clashes.
- EMTAN: Rifles and pistols supplied to Thai forces (pre-conflict deal in 2022, used in 2025 engagements).

European Contractors
- Saab (Sweden): JAS 39 Gripen fighters and Erieye AWACS for Thai air superiority and surveillance.
- Nexter (France): Caesar 155mm truck-mounted howitzers for Thai mobile artillery.
- Thales (France): ATLIS-II laser/optical targeting pods integrated with Thai Gripen jets for guided bombing.
- Excalibur Army / Tatra (Czech Republic): RM-70 multiple rocket launchers used by Cambodia (Czech variant of Soviet BM-21).

Other/Global Suppliers
- LIG Nex1 (South Korea): KGGB GPS-guided glide bombs launched by Thai aircraft, extending strike range over 50 miles.
- Thai Domestic Firms (Primarily for Thailand):
  - Thai Aerospace Industries (TAA): Reconnaissance drones and cybersecurity systems for border surveillance.
  - Siam Defense Systems (SDS): General defense tech, boosted by post-conflict spending.
  - Thai Advanced Armament Company (TAAC): Armored vehicles and small arms for ground forces.
- Russian/Soviet Legacy Suppliers (To Cambodia):
  - KBP Instrument Design Bureau (Russia): PMN-2 anti-personnel mines deployed defensively.
  - Legacy Soviet (Various, e.g., Motovoz or Uralvagonzavod): BM-21 Grad rocket launchers and D-30 122mm howitzers.

This list highlights how diverse supply chains—dominated by Chinese exports to Cambodia and a mix of Western/Israeli tech for Thailand—intensified the four-day clashes in late July 2025. Post-conflict, both nations have ramped up procurement, benefiting these contractors amid regional tensions. For historical context, similar dynamics played out in the 2008-2011 disputes, but 2025 saw more advanced drones and precision munitions.

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