Royal Cambodian Armed Forces

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces កងយុទ្ធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ Kangyuthipol Khemarak Phumin
Forces armées royales cambodgiennes
Founded	1953
Service branches	Royal Cambodian Army Royal Cambodian Navy Royal Cambodian Air Force Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia
Headquarters	High Command Headquarters Jok Dimitrov Boulevard, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh Supreme Commander-in-Chief is HM King Norodom Sihamoni,
Leadership
Minister of Defence	General Tea Banh
Manpower
Military age	18–60
Available for military service	4,000,000 males, age 18–50 (2010 est.), 3,900,000 females, age 18–50 (2010 est.)
Fit for military service	3,000,000 males, age 18–50 (2010 est.), 2,900,000 females, age 18–50 (2010 est.)
Reaching military age annually	150,000 males (2010 est.), 150,000 females (2010 est.)
Active personnel	125,000
Reserve personnel	200,000
Expenditures
Budget	USD$383 million (FY16)[1]
Percent of GDP	~2% (2016 est.)
Related articles
History	Military history of Cambodia

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Khmer: កងយុទ្ធពលខេមរភូមិន្ទ, KangYuthipol Khemarak Phumin) (RCAF) is the national military forces of Cambodia. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief is HM King Norodom Sihamoni, General Pol Saroeun is the Commander in Chief of the RCAF, which consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Gendarmerie.

The armed forces currently operate under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence. Under the constitution the RCAF is in charged of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia from external threats.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces consists of three branches:

• Royal Cambodian Army
  • Special Forces
• Royal Cambodian Navy
• Royal Cambodian Air Force
• Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia

The RCAF was created in 1993 by a merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two non communist resistance armies. At the time, there were also resistance forces opposing the Government, consisting of the Khmer Rouge and a separate royalist resistance movement (also known as the National United Army or NUA). The forerunner of the Cambodian Armed Forces is the Division 125. It was established in 1978 by Hun Sen (now is Prime Minister) and the Vietnam People's Army's support.^[2][3]

The Royal Cambodian Army is the largest force with troops stationed in each province of the country. The Royal Cambodian Navy is the second largest force and operates at sea, along the Mekong and Bassac rivers and in the Tonle Sap Lake. The military police force numbers 10,000 employees and runs parallel to the civilian police force.

The military police have posts in every province and municipality across the country. The Royal Cambodian Air Force is the smallest of the military forces and has 5,000 members. The Air Force operates in every province which has an airport.^[4]

Strength and demobilisation

Cambodian de-mining force in Sudan.

Cambodian Marines aboard the USS Tortuga during military training.

In 2002, Prince Sisowath Sirirath, then Co-Minister of Defence, stated that the total Cambodian military strength stood around 120,000 persons.^[5] Since the end of fighting and the surrender of the last of the Khmer Rouge, the Cambodian military has been undergoing substantial changes as it shifts to a peacetime force.

Since 1999, the government has been working to demobilise large numbers of servicemen with support from the World Bank. Demobilisation efforts began in February 2000 and the first 10,000 soldiers were demobilised in a pilot project later that year. In 2001, the first phase of demobilisation got under way and 20,000 soldiers returned to civilian life in large ceremonies around the country. A second phase of demobilisation was planned for 2003 where an additional 30,000 servicemen would leave the armed forces. However, the process has been stalled by allegations of corruption and procurement irregularities.^[4]

Component	Military personnel
Army	85,000
Navy	3,000
Air Force	2,500
Special Forces	5,000
Royal Gendarmerie	10,000
Total	105,000

History

Royal Khmer Armed Forces (FARK)

Flag under Lon Nol (1970-1975).

The Royal Khmer Armed Forces (Forces armées royales khmères; FARK), was established on 9 November 1953 under a Franco-Khmer convention. This contributed to the termination of the French colony and protectorate, and Cambodia obtained its own authentic military organisation. The FARK's roles were defined as follows: to guarantee the sovereignty of the nation and of the king; to ensure security, social order and the respect of law; and to defend the Kingdom of Cambodia. With 50,000 troops, FARK was organised at battalion level under the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the Head of State. At this early stage of the birth of an independent nation, its armed forces were often armed with little more than wooden rifles to fool aggressive Viet Minh forces. This forced King Norodom Sihanouk to sign border treaty agreements with Vietnam which were very unfavorable to Cambodia, resulting in the loss of much of its territory.

Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK)

The military situation changed dramatically following the coup d'état in March 1970. In the Khmer Republic regime, FARK was renamed Khmer National Armed Forces (Forces armées nationales khmères; FANK). When the Cambodian Civil War followed, and in response to a declared state of emergency, the FANK's size was expanded to reach 200,000 military personnel organized in brigades and divisions. The armed forces of all categories were placed under command and control of the president. When facing NVA, Viet Cong or Khmer Rouge forces, FANK had full strengths as reported. In the beginning, NVA, Vietcong, and Khmer Rouge forces were often wiped out by FANK forces. Prince Norodom Sihanouk often announce on the radio and spread propaganda urging people to go to the jungle and join the communist to fight against the FANK forces. Some corrupt FANK commanders who a royalist supporter sold their weapons and intel to the Khmer Rouge forces where they were fighting. Often many FANK commanders, for example Norodom Chantaraingsey, were at the front lines when they launching operations against the communist forces. In late 1973, the American Congress finally lost all confidence in FANK, stopped all military aide to them due to corrupt commander or soldier who support and sold their equipment and supplies to Prince Norodom Sihanouk communist forces. Many Cambodians lost their lives as result of Prince Norodom Sihanouk that allowed the Khmer Rouge communist to seize power in April 1975, which started the Cambodian genocide.

Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (RAK)

After the downfall of the Khmer Republic in April 1975, the Khmers rouges régime established a new military force called Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (RAK). It was purely composed of original Khmer Rouge fighters plus defectors from Lon Nol's FANK. These defectors who joined the Khmer Rouge were never fully trusted by the original Khmer Rouge cadres. They were later purged by Pol Pot, when thousands of Khmer Rouges soldiers and officers were ordered killed by the Khmer Rouge leadership. Similarly to the other forces, the RAK was organised up to division level and was under command of the Chief of the General Staff General Son Sen and General Ta Mok. The RAK's strength was an impressive 375,000 man, fully armed military force, supplied by Communist China and some Eastern bloc states. However, the RAK did not operate efficiently, due to many Vietnamese double agents hidden among them. When Democratic Kampuchea launched an invasion into an area of southern Vietnam known as Prey Nokor when it was Cambodia territory prior 1949, the Vietnamese forces were caught off guard. Then their double agents in the Khmer Rouge forces proved valuable. These double agents were later found out to have become members of the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (KPRAF), the armed forces of the People's Republic of Kampuchea.

Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (KPRAF)

Aircraft fin-flash of the People's Republic of Kampuchea

Following the intervention of the Vietnamese forces in January 1979, which resulted in the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime and because of the effect of the Cold War, a new force was re-created in Cambodia: The Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Armed Forces, which later changed its name to the Cambodian People's Armed Forces (CPAF) of the Phnom Penh government, was rebuilt. This military organisation evolved, in terms of size and organisation, from battalions to divisions.

In the meantime, anti-Vietnamese movements were formed along the Cambodian-Thai border. Apart from the remained NADK, two other non-communist resistance forces, the Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces (KPNLAF) and the Armées Nationale pour Khmer Independent – ANKI (previously called Armées Nationale Sihanoukist – ANS) were established. The military evolution of the last two movements was similar in character: from small armed groups to divisions.

Because of the influence of the Cold War's ideological contest, and the interference of some global powers, Cambodia found itself in an insecure environment. This remained the case for more than 20 years after 1970, and was only partly resolved through the Paris Peace Accords signed in Paris October 1991. In reality KPRAF still dominated three factions of resistance groups. KPRAF integrated the Khmer Rough surrendering troops, KPNLF, ANKI and continue to dominated these groups even after integrations.

Re-establishment of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces

A legitimate national armed force, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, was re-established in 1993 following the creation of a democratically elected First-Term Government consisted of two Prime Ministers. The armed forces of all parties, except the NADK, were integrated into one national armed force and later NADK integrated in 1998 after Pol Pot death. In reality KPRAF totally dominated these three integrated gurrilla groups. Commanders of KPNLF,ANKI, KR were later replaced one by one with KPRAF loyalist commanders.

To put security problems to an end, the Government commenced its Win Win policy in mid-1995. The policy was to end the internal security crisis through national reconciliation and national unity efforts, under the rule of the King of Cambodia. Subsequent defections NADK units began in early 1996. The Win Win policy of Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen continued to succeed as the last groups of the Khmer Rouge guerrillas were integrated into the RCAF in late 1998. It historically marked the total dissolution of the Khmer Rouge's political and military organs and the return of all secession areas to government control.

The RCAF now has to continue reforms, so as to be in-line with the Government's political guidelines. These guidelines direct the armed forces to demobilise to an acceptable size, achieve sound capability, and inculcate high ethics and dignity, with advancement towards international standardisation in the future. The RCAF also has to plan for its agenda to include security co-operation for the common benefit of the whole region.

Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia

The Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia is a paramilitary unit with 10,000 soldiers deployed in all provinces. It is headquartered in Phnom Penh. The unit's chain of command is through the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces High Command and commanded by a Lieutenant General, currently Lt-General Sao Sokha. Lt-General Sao Sokha was one of the commanders that defeated FUNCINPEC forces in coupe in July 1997. The Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia is deployed in every province and cities to keep law and order. After the penal procedure code had been passed the military police in Cambodia play an important role in Cambodia society which keep law and orders in cities like the National Police, an important tasks that had been revoked sub decree in 2002. Every provincial gendarmerie is commanded by a colonel, after 1 January 2009 by a brigadier general, except in the capital of Phnom Penh where it is commanded by brigadier general since it is created. ^[6]

Comparative officers and enlisted ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10		OF-9		OF-8		OF-7		OF-6		OF-5		OF-4		OF-3		OF-2		OF-1						OF(D) & Student officer
Cambodia (Edit)																									No Equivalent
	ឧត្តមសេនីយ៍នាយក		នាយឧត្តមសេនីយ៍		ឧត្តមសេនីយ៍ឯក		ឧត្តមសេនីយ៍ទោ		ឧត្តមសេនីយ៍ត្រី		វរសេនីយ៍ឯក		វរសេនីយ៍ទោ		វរសេនីយ៍ត្រី		អនុសេនីយ៍ឯក		អនុសេនីយ៍ទោ			អនុសេនីយ៍ត្រី
	General of the Army		General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		1st Lieutenant			2nd Lieutenant
Cambodia (Edit)	No Equivalent																								No Equivalent
			Admiral		Vice Admiral		Rear Admiral		Commodore		Captain		Commander		Lieutenant Commander		Lieutenant		Lieutenant Junior Grade			Ensign
Cambodia (Edit)	No Equivalent																								No Equivalent
			General		Lieutenant General		Major General		Brigadier General		Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel		Major		Captain		1st Lieutenant			2nd Lieutenant

Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4		OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Cambodia (Edit)
	ព្រឹន្ទបាលឯក			ព្រឹន្ទបាលទោ			ពលបាលឯក		ពលបាលទោ		ពលបាលត្រី						នាយឯក						នាយទោ		ពលឯក		ពលទោ
	Chief Warrant Officer			Warrant Officer			Command Sergeant Major		Master Sergeant		Staff Sergeant						Chief Corporal						Corporal		Soldier 1st Class		Soldier 2nd Class						Soldier
Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2		OR-1
Cambodia] (Edit)
	Chief Warrant Officer			Warrant Officer			Junior Warrant Officer		Master Chief Petty Officer		Chief Petty Officer						Petty Officer 1st Class		Petty Officer 2nd Class				Petty Officer 3rd Class		Seaman 1st Class		Seaman
Equivalent NATO Code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6		OR-5		OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Cambodia] (Edit)
	Chief Warrant Officer			Warrant Officer			Command Sergeant Major		Master Sergeant		Staff Sergeant		Chief Corporal		Corporal				Airman 1st Class		Airman 2nd Class						Airman

See also

• Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Armed Forces
• History of Cambodia
• Cambodian Civil War
• Lon Nol
• Khmer Republic
• Khmer National Armed Forces
• Weapons of the Cambodian Civil War
• Khmer Rouge
• Meas Sophea
• Hun Sen

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Cambodia.

Further reading

• Dylan Hendrickson, 'Cambodia's security-sector reforms: limits of a downsizing strategy,' Conflict, Security, and Development, Volume 1, Issue 1.
• Gerald Segal and Mats Berdal, 'The Cambodia Dilemma,' Jane's Intelligence Review, March 1993, p. 131-2. Includes listing of formations and equipment of the various factions.
• Robert Karniol, 'Confined to local waters,' Naval Forces Update, Jane's Defence Weekly, 20 June 1992, p. 1097. Status of Cambodian navy.

External links

• High Command Badge