Royal Cambodian Air Force

The Cambodia Air Force, officially known as the Royal Cambodian Air Force (RCAF), is the aerial warfare branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. Established in 1953, it is responsible for the defense of Cambodia's airspace and provides air support to ground forces during military operations. The RCAF operates a small fleet of aircraft, which primarily consists of helicopters. These include older models like the Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter, as well as Chinese-made Harbin Z-9 and Z-9WE helicopters. The air force also operates a limited number of military transport aircraft such as the Antonov An-26 and Harbin Y-12. The RCAF's capabilities have gradually improved over the years, with some modernization efforts focused on enhancing training programs and equipment maintenance. Its primary missions include reconnaissance, transport, medical evacuation, and limited combat operations. The Cambodian Air Force, though relatively small in size, continues to play a crucial role in supporting the country's defense needs.

Key facts

Official Name	Royal Cambodian Air Force
Local Name	អាកាសយន្ដកម្ពុជា (Aakasayant Kâmpuchéa)
Country	🇰🇭 Cambodia
World rank	#110
Active aircrafts	24 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	0
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	20
Transport	4

Aircrafts most used by Cambodian air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
Mi-8 Hip	9	Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally.
Z-9 Haitun	9	Chinese utility helicopter, widely deployed for anti-submarine and SAR missions since the late 20th century.
An-26 Curl	2	Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s.
AW109	1	Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s.
BN-2B Defender	1	British light-utility aircraft, notably deployed for surveillance, logistical operations, and transport duties in various global regions.
H125M / AS550 Fennec	1	French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles.
Y-12	1	Chinese twin-engine light utility aircraft, recognized from its 1980s development, frequently used for passenger and cargo transportation.

Full inventory in 2024