Strength and Demobilization
In 2002, Prince Sisowath Sirirath, then Co-Minister of Defense, stated that the total Cambodian military strength stood around 120,000 persons. With 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 become a peacetime force.
Since 1999, the government has been working to demobilize large numbers of servicemen with support from the World Bank. Demobilization efforts began in February 2000 and the first 2,000 soldiers were demobilized in a pilot project later that year. In 2001, the first phase of demobilization got under way and 20,000 soldiers returned to civilian life in large ceremonies around the country. A second phase of demobilization 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.
| Component | Military personnel |
| Army | 75,000 |
| Navy | 4,000 |
| Air Force | 2,000 |
| Special Forces | 10,000 |
| Royal Gendarmerie | 10,000 |
| Total | 101,000 |
Read more about this topic: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
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