Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)

Total Armed Forces:

active - 140,000

Defence Budget:

1999 - $87 million

2000 - $120 million

Army: RCAF(Army)

active - 90,000

22 small combat divisions

180+ tanks

supporting artillery/air defense guns and missiles

Navy: RCAF(Navy)

active - 3,000 including 1,500 Naval Infantry

4 patrol and coastal combatants

Air Force: RCAF(Air Force)

active - 2,000

24 total combat aircraft including
1 fighter squadron with 19 MiG-21s

15 helicopters

Assessment:

Limited capability in defending territory against all existing and foreseeable threats (China/Vietnam/Laos/Thailand). No force projection capabilities. Internal instability as a result of social and political conflict. Maritime disputes and border problems with Vietnam and Thailand, but the Cambodian military has little effective offensive force.

Trends:

Military spending is negligible in comparison to expenditures of neighboring threats such as Vietnam and Thailand. Cambodia is also greatly outnumbered in terms of personnel strength. The country is undergoing a military modernization program in fits and starts due to immense political and economic problems. There is no indication that any force projection capabilities are being sought at present. It is expected that any modernization and upgrading will be focused upon maintaining present force levels in a purely defensive manner and keeping equipment operational.