Stronger response: Cambodia to boost anti-terror fight with sophisticated weapons

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

As the threat of terrorism rises globally, Cambodia is looking into upgrading its reponse, including having more sophisticated weapons. 

In a move to fight terrorism in the country, forces need to be well-armed as anti-terrorism remains fragile security challenge. 

Speaking to about 600 soldiers who are undergoing training at the Royal Cambodian Army headquarters in Phnom Penh on Friday, RAF commander Lieutenant General Hun Manet said that the armed forces need special training and need to be armed with sophisticated weapons to fight against terrorists.

“This skill training and capacity building needs to done vigorously, especially for forced to be well-armed,” he said. 

“Today’s training is a part of the capacity building of military regions and divisions under the Army which is in the frontline at provinces to add to national anti-terrorism forces in accordance with new restructuring and additional duties related to anti-terrorism operations,” he said. 

“This is a very important task for Cambodia as the terrorism issue remains challenging for security both in the region and the world,” he added. 

“Counter-terrorism responses are a special type of operation involving diplomacy, laws, and tactics that require coordination, leadership, hierarchical structure, and clear organisational structures,” he said. 

The soldiers are being trained in counter-terrorism, rescue and intervention skills at the Special Forces Command. 

The counter-terrorism training comes after the country purchased millions of modern amoury to boost the armed forces capacity. 

Last month, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), of which Lt Gen Manet is Deputy Commander-in-Chief, received a delivery of tens of  millions of dollars’ worth of military hardware, comprising rocket launchers, truck-mounted  howitzers, tactical vehicles, rocket resupply trucks and battery command post trucks. 

RCAF took delivery of SH1 155mm truck-mounted howitzers as well as AR2 300mm and Type 90B 122mm multiple rocket launchers (MRL), ammunition transport trucks and Xiaolong JL3 (FJ2040) 4×4 tactical vehicles, BeiBen 2629 rocket resupply trucks and BeifBen battery command post trucks.

Lt Gen Manet also urged the soldiers to get trainings on rescue and intervention skills which are very important for them to combat terrorism as well as intervene and rescue people during natural disasters or incidents such the floods and building collapses. 

Army spokesman Major General Mao Phalla said yesterday that besides protecting Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the army plays an important role to help the government and the people during both natural disasters and other untoward incidents. 

He noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the army also helped to inoculate people across the country.   

“The army has actively participated in rescuing the people who faced natural disasters or other incidents,” Maj Gen Phalla said.