Cambodia Military Forces 🇰🇭

Historically, Cambodia's defense focus has been on internal security and border defense. In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards safeguarding its maritime interests in the Gulf of Thailand, including potential offshore energy reserves. This strategic reorientation is driven by a desire to assert sovereignty and protect its exclusive economic zone.

A defining feature of Cambodia's strategic position is its close relationship with China, which has become its primary military benefactor. This partnership provides Cambodia with military hardware, infrastructure development, and training. This deepening defense relationship has implications for regional security dynamics. Cambodia also engages in defense diplomacy through its membership in ASEAN and participates in UN peacekeeping operations, primarily with engineering and logistical units.

Military Forces

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) is comprised of the Royal Cambodian Army, the Royal Cambodian Navy, and the Royal Cambodian Air Force. The military's command structure is centralized under the Ministry of National Defence.

The Royal Cambodian Army is the largest branch, organized into military regions that correspond to provincial groups. Its primary roles are territorial defense and internal security. The army's equipment is a mix of older Soviet-era hardware and more modern Chinese-supplied systems. This includes tanks, armored personnel carriers, and artillery.

The Royal Cambodian Navy is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a riverine and coastal patrol force to a more capable maritime service. This modernization is heavily supported by China, which has provided new patrol boats and, most notably, Type 056 corvettes. This acquisition will significantly enhance the navy's operational range and capabilities. The main naval base is at Ream.

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is the smallest and least-equipped of the three services. Its inventory primarily consists of transport helicopters, such as the Mi-8/Mi-17 and the Chinese Z-9, which are used for troop transport and logistics. The air force has a limited fixed-wing transport capability and lacks a credible air combat element, although there are plans to acquire L-39NG light combat aircraft.