Choppers
Cambodia-bound
Cambodia's
air force will be strengthened by the arrival of 12 military helicopters,
including four attack choppers, from China next year, government officials said
yesterday.
Prak Sokha,
a spokesman for the Royal Cambodian Air Force, told the Post yesterday that 25
Cambodian pilots and mechanics were training in China in preparation for the
Kingdom receiving the Chinese-made Z-9 helicopters between April and August.
“We expect
that by April, some of them will finish their training and will return with two
helicopters,” he said.
Of the 12
helicopters, four would be used for fighting purposes, six for general
transport and two for transporting high-ranking officials, Sokha said.
These
comments echoed earlier reports quoting Royal Cambodian Arm Forces commander
Pol Sarouen and Royal Cambodian Air Force commander Soeung Samnang saying
similar things.
“What I am
not so clear on is whether the Cambodian government has bought these or whether
they have been granted to us,” Sokha said.The government, boasting of a new era
of cooperation with China, announced in August last year it had struck a deal
with the superpower to receive a batch of Z-9 helicopters for $195 million.
Media reports at the time suggested a loan from China would cover the cost.
About 100
tanks and 40 armoured personnel carriers, believed to be from Ukraine, arrived
at Sihanoukville port in late October, one of the largest single shipments of
military vehicles in Cambodia’s recent history.
Sam Rainsy
Party lawmaker Son Chhay said he was concerned about the percentage of the
national budget allocated to military spending and the fact the government was
making decisions about purchases without debate in parliament.
“We have
doubts about equipment that is not accounted for or [deals] that are not
transparent,” he said.
Chhay said
military equipment from China was often expensive and of poor quality and the
origin and volume of Cambodia’s military acquisitions were a topic for
parliament.
“We as
parliamentarians have a right to know,” he said.
Mey Vann, a
director from the Ministry of Finance, could not be reached for comment.
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