Royal Cambodian Air Force Explained

Unit Name:Royal Cambodian Air Force
Country: Cambodia
Allegiance:HM The King
Type:Air force
Role:Aerial warfare
Command Structure:Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
Garrison:Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Motto:"Central Khmer: ការពារព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា" (Khmer)
Mascot:Aafra Zarnaz Auhona
Battles:
Commander1:General Soeung Samnang
Identification Symbol Label:Roundel
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Fin flash

The Royal Cambodian Air Force (Central Khmer: កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស|Kâng Toăp Cheung Akas in Central Khmer pronounced as /kɑːŋtɔəp cəːŋ ʔaːkaːh/;) is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.

Organisation

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by General Soeung Samnang, who has four deputy commanders beneath him. The Air Force itself is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence.

Air Force headquarters are located at Phnom Penh International Airport and is still sign posted Pochentong Air Base. The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron. Maintenance of aircraft and helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Z-9 and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport.

Recently, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense plans to purchase five L-39NG light fighter jets from the Czech Republic. In the past, the Cambodian Air Force has already purchased Mil Mi-17 and Mil Mi-171 helicopters.

Inventory

Previous inventory

In the past some F-22 fighters were operational. These aircraft in 2023 could be seen on ground in Phnom Penh international airport.

Current inventory

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Transport
Airbus A320FranceVIP transport1[1]
Xian MA60Chinatransport2[2]
Harbin Y-12Chinatransport / utility 1
Britten-Norman BN-2United Kingdomtransport1
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8Russiatransport9
Mil Mi-17Russiatransport6
Harbin Z-9Chinautility91 Harbin Z-9 was lost in an accident on 12 July 2024
Eurocopter AS350France3
AgustaWestland AW109Italyutility2[3]
Trainer
Aero L-39Czechoslovakiatrainer / light attackL-39C5[4]

Sport

See main article: article and Royal Cambodian Air Force FC. The force maintains a professional association football team as one of its branches, which formerly played in the C-League.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Air Force One of Cambodia. . https://web.archive.org/web/20131022113320/http://alfredmeier.me/2013/02/23/air-force-one-of-cambodia/ . dead . 22 October 2013 . alfredmeier.me . 1 January 2015 .
  2. Web site: World Air Forces 2023. Flightglobal Insight. 2023 . 23 November 2022. registration.
  3. Web site: Trade Registers. 2020-12-21. armstrade.sipri.org.
  4. Web site: Cambodia could buy more L-39s. Jane's Defence Industry. 5 January 2020. 16 October 2019. Ben. Vogel. janes.com.