The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Khmer: កងទ័ពយុទ្ធពលខេឞរភូមិន្ទ, Kangtrop Yothipol Khemarak Phumin) (RCAF) are the national military forces of Cambodia. The Commander-in-Chief is HM King Norodom Sihamoni, and consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces.
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 Marine Corps
- Royal Cambodian Air Force
- Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia
The RCAF was created in 1993 by the 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 comprising 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.
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 around 7,800 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 three forces and has around 1,000 employees. The air force operates in every province with an airport.
Read more about Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Regions, Strength and Demobilization, Re-establishment of The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia, See Also
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