Cambodia & Laos Defence Forum

[Reashot Xigwin]

The Lao People's Liberation Army


Shown is the 122 mm howitzer D-30 produced by the Soviet Union, aid to Laos (all photos : KienThuc)

Like Vietnam, the Lao People's Army armed with weapons originating from the Soviet Union and a small portion was purchased from Russia.
In Southeast Asia, the Lao People's Army is an organized army, small with only standing army of 130,000 people including air force and navy.



The Army is the largest force, equipped with a variety of weapons in the Lao People's Army. Personal armament of the Laos team's are assault rifle AK-47/AKM or AK variant was produced by China Type 56 medium associated PKM/RPD, pistol Makarov PM
In Laos enforcement compulsory military service, serve a minimum period of 18 months, In training, the Lao People's Army has sent many students to study at the school officers, university and military school in Vietnam.


Laos army also organized special operations forces, or sapper called Laos with features similar to the characteristics of Vietnam.
On heavy weapons Lao Army is derived primarily from the Soviet Union. In it, the artillery is equipped with mortars (size 81, 82 or 120 mm). Shown is Brigadier Captain Info-dun-PHAC-hua Xon Battalion 414, Provincial Military Command U Dom Xay practicing firing mortar operations.


In addition to fire mortars, artillery Laos also export quantities than 100 kinds including 122 mm howitzer M-30, D-30 122 mm, 105mm M101; M-46 long-barreled guns 130mm (very small amounts). Shown is the gate 122 mm howitzer D-30 produced by the Soviet Union, aid to Laos.

D-30 122 mm howitzer firing angle 360 degrees, a range of 15,4km. ZIS achieve a range of 11.8 km.


Force increased - armored, automobiles of the Lao People's Army used mainly Soviet equipment including main battle tank T-54; light tank PT-76; BTR-60 armored personnel / BTR-152.
Shown is the tanker belonging to Battalion 614, Division 2 Lao People's Army. Battalion 614 armored unit of the Army tradition Laos, has fought border guard in 1982-1988.
PT-76 tanks of the Army of Laos under the first generation of this legendary line increase, equipped with rifled gun D-56T 76,2mm no hood in 2/3 belly gun body.


The Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) is the 2nd largest force in the Lao People's Army troops standing with about 3,000 people, equipped with nearly 50 aircraft primarily transport missions, fire support when necessary. Despite equipped with several dozen MiG-21, but this number is virtually no activity.
Shown is the helicopter Mi-17-1V multipurpose transport of Regiment 703, the Air Force of the Lao People's Liberation.
In 1997, Laos signed the purchase of 12 Russian Mi-17 and the transfer completed in 1999. The aircraft are mainly transport missions, reconnaissance, when necessary, to support the armed rocket fire ground forces.


In addition to helicopter Russia, Laos also purchased 4 transport helicopter Z-9 versatile of China.
Regarding the transport aircraft with wings, Laos has the equipment for 10 An-2, An-26 and one An-74 a (purchase of Ukraine).
Shown is a modern transport aircraft of the Air Force Laos - An-74 purchase of Ukraine, serving the VIP and the government of Laos.
(KienThuc)

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Cambodia’s Military Ties With China Strengthening


Cambodia has bought 12 Chinese Z-9 military helicopter (photos : Michael Hergott)

PHNOM PENH—Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh made a five-day trip to China last week, meeting with high-ranking military officials and receiving pledges of assistance from the Chinese military.

In an interview last week, Tea Banh, a trusted member of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s administration, told VOA Khmer the visit was successful in bringing military cooperation between the countries even closer. That relationship is closer than Cambodia’s with the US, he said.

Analysts say Cambodia is likely to look more and more to China for support, with tensions growing with its old patron, Vietnam, over border issues. Cambodia and China have enjoyed traditionally strong ties, through late King Norodom Sihanouk in the 1960s.

Those ties noticeably improved after 2012, when as host of an Asean summit, Cambodia sided with China over the contentious South China Sea issue. The following year, China provided Cambodia with a $195 million loan, which bought 12 Chinese Z-9 military helicopters. In May this year, China pledged military trucks, spare parts, equipment and unspecified chemicals.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has often touted the relationship. During the inauguration of a Chinese-funded road in Kampong Som province last month, he told a group of farmers that Cambodian-Chinese relations were at an all-time high, and that the two were moving toward a “comprehensive” partnership. China’s development fund for Cambodia for 2015 was $140 million, up from $100 million the year before, he said.

Tea Banh defended the bilateral relationship, saying Chinese aid comes with no strings, while China has never interfered in Cambodian affairs. He declined to disclose how much aid Cambodia would receive from the latest trip.


Yet analysts warn that China is getting more out of the deal than Cambodia. Chheang Vannnarith, a visiting professor at the University of Leeds, said China needs Cambodia as a partner in Southeast Asia, where competition is rising. Cambodia needs Chinese partnership, as Vietnam moves closer to the US.

“The region is full of complicated competition,” he said: China and Japan, China and the US. “China takes Cambodia in Indochina and the Mekong region to strengthen its sphere of influence in the Asia Pacific.”

In the end, Cambodia is playing a riskier game than China, Chheang Vannarith said. “Once we rely on China so much, we will lose what is called self-determination in foreign policy,” he said.

Paul Chambers, a professor at Chiang Mai University, said China, “a growing super power,” uses Cambodia for influence within Asean, in what he called a “growing cold war” between China and the US. China also hopes to split up Asean, he said.

“I believe that Hun Sen has shown himself in the past and present to be a very good balancer among allies,” he said. “Hun Sen will increasingly welcome Chinese defense sector assistance to Cambodia.”

Hugh White, a professor of strategic studies at Australian National University, told VOA Khmer that the growing military cooperation between Cambodia and China will counter US influence in the region, while bolstering Cambodia’s military capabilities.

“We see America trying to develop closer ties with Vietnam, for example, with last week’s senior Vietnamese visit to Washington,” he said. “China’s willingness to develop stronger defense links with Cambodia is part of this process. However, I doubt that this will go so far as to fundamentally transform Cambodia’s defense posture or sector.”

Last week’s trip by Tea Banh to China comes amid an ongoing diplomatic row with Vietnam over alleged border encroachment. The Beijing visit could signal to Vietnam that “China may be willing to support Cambodia in a border dispute with Vietnam,” White said.

(VoA Cambodia)

 

[Aepsilons]

Cambodia sends delegation to China to discuss border conflict with Vietnam

Facing a border conflict with Vietnam, a Cambodian military delegation consisting of 23 high-ranking military and security officials led by the nation's defense minister, Tea Banh began a five-day visit to Beijing on July 8, reported Prashanth Parameswaran, associate editor of the Diplomat, a Tokyo-based online current affairs magazine.

While China said very little about the event and Defense Minister Banh describe it as an "annual exchange visit," Parameswaran said that the 23 members of the delegation includes the commanders of all three branches of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces as well as the national military police. He said that such large and high-powered delegation makes the visit look "big" despite Banh's denial. Also, Paramenswaran noticed that the visit came just days after violent border clashes between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Hundreds of troops from both nations were involved in the territorial conflict which took place in late June. Noone was killed in the confrontation, however, and few were injured. Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen was accused by the Cambodian opposition of using maps drawn by Vietnam to assess the country's borders with its easternn neighbor. Hun later wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on July 6 requesting a map prepared by former colonial ruler France so it could use their demarcation.

A meeting was held by Vietnamese and Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh this week to discuss the border issue. Yet as Cambodia is unable to reach a final solution with Vietnam, it has turned its attention to China for military support. Cambodia was once invaded and occupied by Vietnam between 1979 and 1991. During the occupation, China remained one of Cambodia's most important allies against Hanoi. Beijing is still Cambodia's primary arms supplier today.

China also currently has a territorial conflict with Vietnam over islands in the disputed South China Sea. Parameswaran said Hanoi has moved relatively closer to Washington in recent years due to its unsolved issues with Beijing. Following the meeting between Banh and his Chinese counterpart, Chang Wanquan as well as Xu Qiliang, the deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission, both sided vowed to continue supporting each other on major issues regarding core interests, the article said.

Parameswaran added that China has excessively and contentiously used the term "core interests" to describe its position regarding the territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Cambodia largely supports China's claims over the Spratly islands. In return, Banh seems to request his Chinese counterpart to support his country's "core interests" when it comes up to Cambodia's border conflict with Vietnam.


Cambodia sends delegation to China to discuss border conflict with Vietnam｜WCT

 

[Aepsilons]

Cambodia’s Military Ties With China Strengthening


Cambodia has bought 12 Chinese Z-9 military helicopter (photos : Michael Hergott)

PHNOM PENH—Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh made a five-day trip to China last week, meeting with high-ranking military officials and receiving pledges of assistance from the Chinese military.

In an interview last week, Tea Banh, a trusted member of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s administration, told VOA Khmer the visit was successful in bringing military cooperation between the countries even closer. That relationship is closer than Cambodia’s with the US, he said.

Analysts say Cambodia is likely to look more and more to China for support, with tensions growing with its old patron, Vietnam, over border issues. Cambodia and China have enjoyed traditionally strong ties, through late King Norodom Sihanouk in the 1960s.

Those ties noticeably improved after 2012, when as host of an Asean summit, Cambodia sided with China over the contentious South China Sea issue. The following year, China provided Cambodia with a $195 million loan, which bought 12 Chinese Z-9 military helicopters. In May this year, China pledged military trucks, spare parts, equipment and unspecified chemicals.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has often touted the relationship. During the inauguration of a Chinese-funded road in Kampong Som province last month, he told a group of farmers that Cambodian-Chinese relations were at an all-time high, and that the two were moving toward a “comprehensive” partnership. China’s development fund for Cambodia for 2015 was $140 million, up from $100 million the year before, he said.

Tea Banh defended the bilateral relationship, saying Chinese aid comes with no strings, while China has never interfered in Cambodian affairs. He declined to disclose how much aid Cambodia would receive from the latest trip.


Yet analysts warn that China is getting more out of the deal than Cambodia. Chheang Vannnarith, a visiting professor at the University of Leeds, said China needs Cambodia as a partner in Southeast Asia, where competition is rising. Cambodia needs Chinese partnership, as Vietnam moves closer to the US.

“The region is full of complicated competition,” he said: China and Japan, China and the US. “China takes Cambodia in Indochina and the Mekong region to strengthen its sphere of influence in the Asia Pacific.”

In the end, Cambodia is playing a riskier game than China, Chheang Vannarith said. “Once we rely on China so much, we will lose what is called self-determination in foreign policy,” he said.

Paul Chambers, a professor at Chiang Mai University, said China, “a growing super power,” uses Cambodia for influence within Asean, in what he called a “growing cold war” between China and the US. China also hopes to split up Asean, he said.

“I believe that Hun Sen has shown himself in the past and present to be a very good balancer among allies,” he said. “Hun Sen will increasingly welcome Chinese defense sector assistance to Cambodia.”

Hugh White, a professor of strategic studies at Australian National University, told VOA Khmer that the growing military cooperation between Cambodia and China will counter US influence in the region, while bolstering Cambodia’s military capabilities.

“We see America trying to develop closer ties with Vietnam, for example, with last week’s senior Vietnamese visit to Washington,” he said. “China’s willingness to develop stronger defense links with Cambodia is part of this process. However, I doubt that this will go so far as to fundamentally transform Cambodia’s defense posture or sector.”

Last week’s trip by Tea Banh to China comes amid an ongoing diplomatic row with Vietnam over alleged border encroachment. The Beijing visit could signal to Vietnam that “China may be willing to support Cambodia in a border dispute with Vietnam,” White said.

(VoA Cambodia)

I wonder if Cambodia will consider purchasing the J-10. Any news on this?

 

[LeslieEngel]

Good Developments.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

China Supplies Cambodia with Anti-Aircraft Hardware in New Military Aid


China has provided Cambodia with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, add FN-6 currently operated (photo : militaryphotos)

China have provided Cambodia with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, Cambodia's defense minister said on Friday, as the two countries agreed on new military aid to boost close ties.

Cambodia is one of China's most stalwart allies in Asia, routinely backing China's position at international forums in a region where China and United States vie for influence.

"The visit of the defense minister of the People's Republic of China has achieved good results," Defense Minister Tea Banh told reporters after a signing ceremony with his visiting Chinese counterpart, Chang Wanquan.

Tea Banh attended a meeting of defense ministers from the region this week where they scrapped plans for a joint statement because they failed to agree on whether to include a reference to the disputed South China Sea, which China had objected to.

Tea Banh made no mention of those negotiations but said China had recently delivered shoulder-fired missiles.
"We don't need warplanes because in the current situation, we have already set up anti-aircraft system to defend our airspace," he said.

He gave no details about the type of missiles but said Cambodia was seeking longer-range hardware.
"We need to be additionally equipped to fire long range or even fast planes can't escape," he said.

He said China would also help with training and would build military academies.

Chang told Tea Banh that China would continue to help Cambodia develop and modernize its armed forces, deepening cooperation on every level, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"China and Cambodia are friendly neighbors, with a traditional friendship and that is long-standing and well established," Chang said.

Cambodia has border disputes with neighboring Vietnam and Thailand and one dispute with Thailand has in recent years occasionally resulted in brief exchanges of fire.

In 2013, Cambodia took delivery of 12 Harbin Z-9 helicopters using a $195 million Chinese loan. The next year, it received a donation of 26 Chinese trucks and 30,000 military uniforms.

China is also Cambodia's biggest foreign investor and a big buyer of its natural resource exports.

(Reuters)

 

[Nike]

Well i will not surprised if Cambodia goes to war against Vietnam once morer

 

[Nike]

Sritex Secures $50m Cambodia Uniform Contracti
Jakarta. Indonesian textile manufacturer Sri Rejeki Isman, better known as Sritex, has secured a $50 million contract for selling police and armed forces uniforms to Cambodia next year, an official said on Wednesday.

The contract is part of the company's push to expand its export market. Skritex is eyeing four other markets next year including Spain, France, Hong Kong and Peru.

Finance director Allan Moran said the contract typically lasts for one year, and the company plans to establish a joint venture in Cambodia next year to facilitate the transaction.

The company targets between $680 million to $715 million in sales next year, rising from this year targets of $630 million to $650 million, Moran said.

Sritex is confident it will achieve up to $58 million in net income this year.
Sritex Secures $50m Cambodia Uniform Contract | Jakarta Globe

 

[dichoi]

.
Dak Nong, Vietnam - Cambodian province strengthen bond
VNA Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - 10:38:20

Scene at the congress (Photo: VNA) Dak Nong (VNA) – The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association’s chapter in Dak Nong will continue serving as a bridge to foster the ties between the Central Highlands province and Cambodia’s Mundulkiri province.

The statement was heard during the chapter’s second congress held on November 17, which re-elected Tran Thi Thao as Chairwoman of the 2025-2020 tenure.

In the past five years, the organisation worked to disseminate information on border-related policies, as well as to organise free medical treatment and medicine distribution programmes, benefiting more than 1,000 residents of Mundulkiri’s Sen Monorum city and communes of O’rang district.

It also visited and presented gifts to needy households living along the border in Mundulkiri province.

In the new tenure, these activities will be maintained. The organisation will boost exchanges with its Mundulkiri counterpart and consult local authorities in assisting fund for its counterpart to build a headquarters.

On this occasion, the Mundulkiri governor presented a certificate of merit to Dak Nong chapter’s Chairwoman TranThi Thao in recognition of her contributions to the cooperation programme on socio-economic development for the 2010-2015 period between Dak Nong and Mundulkiri.-VNA

Well i will not surprised if Cambodia goes to war against Vietnam once morer

Cambodian dóes not go to find the dead for your troll.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Discover Naval Power of Laos


A river patrol boat of the Lao People's Navy (photo : Soha)

Although there is no sea but Laos has organized a force "Navy" to make operational management tasks boats on the Mekong River.

Lao People's Navy (Lao People's Navy - LPN) was founded in 1975 based on the remaining ruins of the Royal Navy Laos . Scale at the time of 1994 included 20 river patrol boats and 16 canoes landed, total troop numbers to around 500 people.

Despite its title, "navy", but this is just a unit specialized border activity on the Mekong River, is responsible for managing borders neighboring countries bordering Thailand and no combat troops on set as Marines.


Canoe river patrol on the Lao People's Navy (photo : Soha)

According to reports, the current time in Laos Navy payroll all 12 coastal patrol vessels are Vietnam aid, this may be the class patrol boats stationed in Soviet Shmel. Besides the four mechanized landing craft used by Vietnam also transferred.

Occupying the largest number in the "Fleet" Navy Laos is 40-50 Chinese patrol boats produced and some of them stretch boat provided by the US in the decade period from 1960 to 1970.

Similarly the other armed forces, most of the officers, Navy officers are trained Laos Naval Academy in Vietnam specialized in advising commanders tactical as well as maintenance, technical maintenance.

Sang to the second decade of the 21st century, has not recorded any significant changes are made to the equipment or the structure of the Navy Laos, this is still a small force in component 's Army Lao People.

Combat forces of Laos Navy already sparse under-evaluated today declining capacity, because their vehicles have very high life span and are increasingly degraded, while additional alternative sources still not forthcoming.

(Soha)

 

[Viet]

one of the best days we have ever seen: the most anti-VN cambodian politician Sam Rainsy has overplayed his cards. ha ha ha even chinese media report the case, knowing they lost an ally.



Cambodian opposition leader faces new charges of conspiracy to forgery, incitement
English.news.cn 2015-11-20 20:00:13

Cambodian FM explains arrest warrant for opposition leader to foreign diplomats.


PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy is facing the new charges of "conspiring to falsify public documents, use fake documents and incite chaos", according to a summons issued by Questioning Judge Kor Vandy on Friday.

The summons ordered Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), to appear at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Dec. 4, 2015 for an inquiry.

It warned that if he does not show up at the court on the schedule, an arrest warrant will be issued.

The summons came after Sam Rainsy had opposition senator Hong Sok Hour post a fake version of a Cambodia-Vietnam border treaty on his Facebook page in August this year.

Hong Sok Hour was arrested on Aug. 15 in Phnom Penh on the charges of falsifying public documents, using fake documents, and inciting chaos to social security. He could face up to 17 years in jail if convicted.

It is another blow to Sam Rainsy, who is currently in self-imposed exile to avoid a 2-year prison sentence over the charge of defamation.

On Monday, National Assembly President Heng Samrin said in a statement that Sam Rainsy had completely lost his "right, privilege and membership as a lawmaker" after the court last week issued an arrest warrant for him over the defamation conviction.

Sam Rainsy, who also holds French citizenship, returned to Cambodia ahead of the July 2013 national election after receiving a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni. He had fled the country in 2009 to avoid an 11-year prison sentence over the charges of removing border poles and publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam. The pardon at that time was not included the defamation conviction.

In the 2013 election, his CNRP received 55 seats against 68 seats for the Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in the 123-seat parliament.

 

[Viet]

another Vietnam-hater, the cambodian politician Hong Sok Hour was arrested, on charges of forgery and treason. he once posted a fake version of a 1979 border treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam. who´s next?

 

[somsak]

U.S. Navy and Royal Cambodian Navies Kick-off CARAT Cambodia 2015

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy and Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN) commenced the 6th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia exercise Nov 16, with an opening ceremony held at the Royal Cambodian Ream Navy Base.

In its sixth consecutive year, the bilateral CARAT Cambodia exercise continues to be a tangible venue for increasing maritime security cooperation with the Royal Cambodian Navy.

"CARAT enables us to develop strong relationships with our Cambodian Navy partners," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force 73. "Through persistent presence and relationships, we continue to make steady progress in increasing the complexity of our training and enhancing cooperation between our navies."

CARAT Cambodia will include five days of events in port and at sea concluding Nov 20. Ashore, personnel will conduct hands-on training in damage control, navigation, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), force protection and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) techniques. Symposia will bring together professionals from both navies to discuss best practices in military law, military medicine and aviation search and rescue. The U.S. 7th Fleet band will also perform during community relations engagements around Sihanoukville.

At sea, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) embarked with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff and an MH-60R helicopter will train with a flotilla consisting of two RCN Stenka-class patrol boats (Stenka 1143 and 1141) and one Coastal Patrol vessel (PC 1108). In addition to maneuvering and surface gunnery drills, highlights include maritime boarding scenarios and a search and rescue exercise.

"We're looking forward to getting underway during the sea-phase of CARAT with our partners in the Royal Cambodian Navy" said Capt. H. B. Le, commodore, DESRON-7. "This year USS Fort Worth will participate in CARAT Cambodia for the first time, presenting a unique opportunity for us to train hull-to-hull with the RCN on one of the navy's newest and most agile ships."

Approximately 200 U.S. Sailors and 300 Royal Cambodian sailors are participating in CARAT Cambodia 2015. U.S. Navy ships participating include the Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50). Other participants include divers from Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit (MDSU), a Coastal Riverine detachment, U.S. Navy Seabees and the U.S. 7th Fleet band.

CARAT is a series of annual, bilateral maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste.

Task Force 73 and DESRON-7 conduct advanced planning, organize resources and directly support the execution of maritime exercises such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

 

[dichoi]

photos for Cambodia US navy cooperation.

US Navy 101025-N-6770T-295 Royal Cambodian Navy officers depart

CARAT Cambodia 2011 (Oct. 20, 2011)

Royal Cambodian Navy officers observe flight quarters during the Cambodia-US Maritime Exercise 2011.

KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia - Members of the 18th Medical Command Group conducted a four-day, medical first responder exercise for soldiers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, March 11, 2015.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Military Budget up 8 Years in Row

02 Desember 2015


The 2016 defence budget about 2% of GDP and 9% of total government expenditure. (photo : rmvvision)

For the eighth consecutive year, Cambodia’s defence spending is set to grow in 2016 after ruling party lawmakers yesterday approved the year’s budget.

The Ministry of National Defence will get some $382 million, a 17.3 per cent rise on this year’s defense expenditure.
According to the Australian Defence Force’s Defence Economic Trends 2015 report, the Kingdom’s military budget increased yearly from just $100 million in 2008 to about $277 million in 2014.

Jon Grevatt, Asia-Pacific industry reporter for defence analyst IHS Jane’s, said much of the allocated budget would go to personnel costs for the armed forces, often criticised for a lack of transparency in how it spends its cash.

“This would include pensions, if indeed pensions are included in the defence budget, military salaries and operations,” Grevatt said. “I can’t see how in a $382 million budget there could be any money for anything other than the most basic procurement requirements i.e. ammunition and perhaps some firearms.”

“But that doesn’t matter, and the reason why is the Cambodian military is able to secure loans from China to be able to support military procurement.”

Grevatt also noted RCAF’s increased focus on maintaining old equipment, which he said was part of efforts to ensure military capability at its borders.

(PhnomPenhPost)