Cambodia Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 91st
MPR SCORE: 305
MPR Index: 0.0974 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8554 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.382 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Cambodia ranks 91st globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. Its military, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), is responsible for internal security, border protection, and disaster response. Cambodia’s defense posture remains modest, with a primary focus on territorial defense, civil-military integration, and counterinsurgency readiness, rather than force projection or technological warfare.
The RCAF comprises the Army, Navy, Air Force, and military police, but remains under-resourced and partially modernized. Cambodia has benefited from military assistance from China, which has helped to upgrade select units and facilities, but the bulk of its arsenal still consists of older Soviet-era equipment and basic infantry systems. The country’s doctrine emphasizes regime protection, rural stability, and bilateral defense cooperation, particularly with China and other ASEAN states.
Strengths
1. Internal Security and Civil Control
The RCAF is heavily embedded in state security apparatuses, playing a key role in regime stability, anti-riot operations, and rural insurgent suppression. The military police and gendarmerie act as extensions of the central authority, especially in times of political unrest.
2. Strategic Relationship with China
Cambodia receives consistent military aid, infrastructure investment, and training programs from China, including upgrades to Ream Naval Base, surveillance equipment, and light armor. This has helped offset resource constraints and improve select capabilities.
3. Terrain Familiarity and Jungle Warfare
The RCAF has extensive familiarity with jungle terrain, honed during decades of internal conflict. Light infantry and paramilitary forces are trained for counter-guerrilla operations, patrol interdictions, and remote-area security.
Why Cambodia Is Still Ranked 83rd
1. Minimal Air and Naval Power
The RCAF Air Force operates only a handful of transport aircraft and helicopters, with no modern fighters or strike platforms. Naval capacity is limited to coastal patrol boats, with no ability to project power into the Gulf of Thailand or broader maritime domain.
2. Outdated Equipment and Logistics
Most Cambodian military assets are aging, with limited spare parts, maintenance, or standardized logistics. While China has assisted in targeted modernization, the overall supply chain and sustainment capacity remain weak.
3. Limited Professionalization and Transparency
The military is closely tied to the ruling political elite, with command positions often based on loyalty rather than merit. This weakens institutional integrity and reduces opportunities for modern tactical training or international interoperability.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s military remains a defensive and domestically focused force, oriented around internal security, border defense, and strategic alignment with China. While the RCAF lacks modern air or naval reach, it plays a stabilizing role in state governance and benefits from limited modernization efforts driven by external partnerships. Its low ranking reflects these structural limitations, but also acknowledges its institutional resilience and defensive viability within Southeast Asia’s lower-tier military landscape.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 125,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 20,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 30,000 (National Police, Gendarmerie)
Army Personnel: 95,000
Navy Personnel: 5,000
Air Force Personnel: 25,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 500+ (older Soviet-era and Chinese models)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 300+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 10+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 40+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Aircraft Breakdown:
MiG-21: 5 (older combat aircraft)
Mi-8 Helicopters: 10 (transport and utility helicopters)
Naval Forces
Cambodia’s naval forces focus primarily on coastal and river patrols, tasked with securing its territorial waters and countering smuggling activities. The country has no blue-water navy and relies on international partnerships for training and equipment.
Patrol Vessels: 10+
Missile Capabilities
Cambodia does not possess strategic missile systems, ballistic missiles, or advanced air defense systems. Its military is geared toward conventional defense and border security operations.
Strategic Partnerships
Cambodia maintains strong military relations with China, which provides the country with military equipment, training, and aid. Cambodia is also a member of ASEAN, which fosters regional cooperation and defense dialogue. The country has minimal military cooperation with Western nations.
Military History & Combat Experience
Cambodia’s military legacy is shaped by civil war, foreign occupation, and post-conflict restructuring, with experience in both guerrilla warfare and regime consolidation. The RCAF remains grounded in the legacy of the country’s violent 20th-century transitions.
Cambodian Civil War (1967–1975):
A complex conflict between the Khmer Rouge, royalist forces, and U.S.-backed Lon Nol regime, culminating in the fall of Phnom Penh and Khmer Rouge control. The war left Cambodia heavily militarized, with major urban and rural battle experience that shaped future force structures.Khmer Rouge Regime and Vietnamese Invasion (1975–1979):
The Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia with extreme brutality, purging military ranks and causing mass deaths. In 1979, Vietnam invaded, removing the regime and installing the People’s Republic of Kampuchea, which relied on Vietnamese military support. Cambodian forces were then reorganized under Vietnamese guidance.People’s Republic and Guerrilla Warfare (1980s):
The People’s Armed Forces of Kampuchea (PAFK) engaged in prolonged guerrilla war against Khmer Rouge remnants, royalist factions, and non-communist insurgents. Fighting took place across border regions, minefields, and dense jungle, producing the jungle warfare doctrine still reflected in today’s RCAF.1997 Coup and Military Reorganization:
A brief but decisive military confrontation in which Hun Sen ousted royalist co-premier Norodom Ranariddh. The event demonstrated the RCAF’s role in regime change, and resulted in the consolidation of military command under the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP).Modern Peacekeeping and Internal Deployments (2000s–present):
Cambodia has contributed limited personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, primarily in engineering and demining roles. Domestically, the RCAF remains deployed for election security, riot control, and border surveillance, especially near Thailand and Vietnam.
Cambodia’s military has evolved from a force forged in guerrilla and revolutionary conflict into a stability-oriented national institution. Though rarely tested in modern conventional warfare, the RCAF retains extensive experience in internal combat, terrain-based operations, and politically directed missions.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~17.1 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~6.1 million
Geographic Area: 181,035 km²
Land Boundaries: 2,530 km
Bordering Countries: Laos, Thailand, Vietnam
Coastline: 443 km
Climate: Tropical; monsoon season May to November
Terrain: Central plains surrounded by uplands and low mountains
Natural Resources: Timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, oil, natural gas
Proven Oil Reserves: ~500 million barrels (offshore, not fully exploited)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~800 billion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$750 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.2%
GDP (PPP): ~$85 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$5,000
External Debt: ~$10 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradually increasing; Chinese-supported modernization
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Internal security, regime protection, border surveillance
Military Industry Base: Limited; some Chinese-funded developments
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into military regions under Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, artillery rockets, Chinese drone systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Low to moderate; 45–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~40,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Basic civilian satellite initiatives with China
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: General Department of Intelligence, Ministry of National Defense
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: China, Vietnam, regional ASEAN entities
Airports (Total): ~17
Major Military Airports: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~25 vessels
Major Ports: Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh (riverine)
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol boats, OPVs, Chinese-supported upgrades
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited; regional capacity only
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~650 km
Roadways: ~55,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: Minimal; offshore exploration ongoing
Energy Imports: Significant reliance on Vietnam and Thailand
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Developing capacity; reliant on regional support
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Light arms, uniforms, basic logistics
Military Installations (Domestic): Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Siem Reap
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Chinese training missions
Defense Alliances: ASEAN, bilateral China cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: Small tactical transport fleet (Y-12, An-26)
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: State fuel importers, garment sector logistics, construction corps
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Phnom Penh
Founding Date: November 9, 1953 (independence from France)
System of Government: Unitary dominant-party parliamentary monarchy
