Cambodia Military Forces

Strategic Position

Cambodia maintains a defense posture defined by a constitutional commitment to neutrality and non-alignment. The country’s primary security concerns involve border integrity, internal stability, and the management of overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and participates in the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) framework.

The bilateral relationship with China is the central pillar of Cambodian defense policy. This partnership includes the Provision of Military Assistance (PMA), infrastructure development, and regular combined exercises such as the Golden Dragon series. Relations with neighboring Thailand and Vietnam are managed through border commissions, though historical disputes over demarcation—specifically the area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple—periodically influence troop deployments.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) prioritize the protection of the monarchy and the sovereignty of the state. Military doctrine emphasizes territorial defense through a mix of conventional force structures and internal security functions. Cambodia also contributes personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), primarily in engineering, demining, and medical roles in Africa and the Middle East.

Military Forces

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) are under the command of the Ministry of National Defense, with the King as the Supreme Commander and the Prime Minister exercising executive control. The RCAF is divided into the Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Cambodian Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, and the Royal Gendarmerie. Total active personnel are estimated at 125,000, supported by a paramilitary force of approximately 70,000.

Royal Cambodian Army The Army is the largest branch and is organized into six military regions. It operates a fleet of main battle tanks including T-55 and Type 59 variants. Armored capability is supplemented by BTR-60 and Type 63 armored personnel carriers. Artillery assets include BM-21 Grad and Type 81 multiple rocket launchers, alongside various Soviet-era towed howitzers.

Royal Cambodian Navy The Navy focuses on coastal defense and the protection of fisheries. Its fleet consists primarily of patrol craft, including Stenka-class and Shershen-class vessels. The Ream Naval Base has undergone expansion to accommodate larger ships and modernized maintenance facilities.

Royal Cambodian Air Force The Air Force lacks fixed-wing combat aircraft. Its inventory is composed of transport and utility helicopters, including Mil Mi-17 and Harbin Z-9 platforms. It maintains a limited number of transport aircraft such as the Xian MA60.

Royal Gendarmerie The Royal Gendarmerie is a paramilitary branch responsible for internal security, counter-terrorism, and assistance to civil authorities. It maintains units in every province and operates under the jurisdiction of the RCAF High Command.

Strategic Trends

Military modernization is characterized by a transition from Soviet-era equipment to Chinese-manufactured systems. Procurement priorities focus on enhancing air defense, artillery range, and maritime surveillance. In 2025 and 2026, the RCAF integrated new batches of tactical vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for border monitoring.

The expansion of the Ream Naval Base is a primary infrastructure trend. The addition of a new pier and dry dock facilities allows for the docking of larger warships, potentially including those from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), although Cambodian officials maintain the site is for national use only.

Defense spending is estimated at approximately 2.3% of GDP. Constraints facing the military include a fragmented logistics system and a reliance on external aid for high-tech procurement. The leadership transition to a new generation of commanders, many of whom received Western or regional military education, is expected to influence future training standards and operational planning. Forces continue to prioritize demining operations, as Cambodia remains one of the most landmine-affected countries globally.