បទវិភាគ៖ ភាពទន់ខ្សោយរបស់យោធាកម្ពុជា

 Analysis: The Weaknesses of the Cambodian Military

Cambodia's military faces significant challenges that undermine its ability to operate effectively in modern warfare and protect national interests. These weaknesses stem from outdated equipment, a constrained budget, inadequate training and expertise, heavy reliance on foreign aid, and geopolitical limitations. Below is a detailed examination of each factor, illustrating why Cambodia’s military struggles to keep pace with regional and global standards as of July 31, 2025.

1. Outdated Equipment

Cambodia’s military hardware is predominantly composed of aging, Soviet-era systems that are ill-suited for contemporary combat scenarios:

-Royal Cambodian Air Force (RCAF): The air force lacks modern combat aircraft, relying instead on outdated transport planes and helicopters. This leaves Cambodia defenseless against air threats, as demonstrated during recent Thai airstrikes involving F-16 jets.

-Army: The tank fleet includes obsolete models like the Chinese Type 59 and Soviet T-54/55 tanks, which are outmatched by modern armored vehicles such as Thailand’s VT-4 tanks.

-Navy: Naval capabilities are limited to basic patrol vessels, lacking the offensive or defensive assets needed to secure maritime borders effectively.

This reliance on antiquated technology severely limits Cambodia’s ability to project power or defend against adversaries with advanced systems.

2. Limited Budget

Cambodia’s defense budget, estimated at $860 million in 2025, is modest compared to regional peers:

-Comparison: Thailand’s defense budget, for instance, is around $5.9 billion, enabling it to invest in modern equipment and infrastructure that Cambodia cannot afford.

-Impact: The limited funding restricts investments in new technology, maintenance of existing assets, and development of logistical capabilities. This financial constraint hampers modernization efforts and leaves the military under-resourced for both defense and deterrence.

With such a small budget, Cambodia struggles to address its equipment deficiencies or build a robust military infrastructure.

3. Training and Expertise

The Cambodian military lacks the advanced training and technical expertise required for modern warfare:

- Gaps: Proficiency in areas like cyber defense, modern combat tactics, and the operation of sophisticated systems is notably low. This leaves critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyberattacks and limits the military’s ability to counter asymmetric threats like terrorism.

- Efforts: While international cooperation with countries like China and Australia has provided some training opportunities, these efforts have not yet elevated Cambodia’s forces to regional standards.

Without skilled personnel, even modern equipment—if acquired—would be underutilized, further compounding Cambodia’s vulnerabilities.

4. Dependence on Foreign Aid

Cambodia’s military heavily depends on external support, particularly from China, which shapes its capabilities and independence:

-Examples: China has supplied equipment, training, and funding, notably supporting the controversial Ream naval base project. This reliance ties Cambodia’s military development to Beijing’s strategic priorities.

-Implications: Such dependence reduces Cambodia’s autonomy, as its military decisions may align more with foreign interests than national needs. It also complicates relations with other powers, like the U.S., which view China’s influence with suspicion.

This external reliance undermines Cambodia’s ability to pursue an independent military strategy.

5. Geopolitical Constraints

Cambodia’s location between larger, more powerful neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam imposes significant strategic limitations:

- Border Tensions: Recent conflicts with Thailand over border disputes have exposed Cambodia’s military inferiority, particularly its inability to counter Thailand’s superior air and ground forces.

- Balancing Act: Cambodia’s economic ties to China and trade relations with the U.S. force it to maintain a delicate neutrality, restricting its ability to adopt an assertive military posture.

These geopolitical realities limit Cambodia’s capacity to strengthen its military without risking escalation or alienating key partners.

Conclusion

The Cambodian military’s weaknesses—outdated equipment, a limited budget, inadequate training, dependence on foreign aid, and geopolitical constraints—collectively diminish its ability to safeguard national sovereignty or respond to modern threats. The recent conflict with Thailand highlighted these deficiencies, as Cambodia struggled to counter a better-equipped adversary. Addressing these issues would require significant investment in modernization, diversification of aid sources, and enhanced training programs. However, given its financial and geopolitical challenges, Cambodia is likely to remain dependent on diplomacy and international support to ensure its security, rather than achieving military self-sufficiency in the near term.

This analysis underscores the multifaceted nature of Cambodia’s military vulnerabilities and their implications for both national defense and regional stability.