Russia and Cambodia Signed the First Ever Military Agreement

29 Juni 2024

Royal Cambodian Army operates BMP-1 and T-55 MBT from Sovyet/Russia (photo: Khmer Times)

TSAMTO -- The Royal Cambodian Army and the Russian Ground Forces signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the armies of the two countries based on mutual respect and assistance.

The Cambodian portal Khmer Times reported this, as RIA Novosti reports.

According to the publication, this became “the first-ever military agreement between Cambodia and Russia.” On the Cambodian side, the memorandum was signed by Mao Sophan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the country's Royal Army. M. Sofan visited Russia on a three-day official visit, during which he was received by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, General Oleg Salyukov.

Royal Cambodian Air Force owned the Soviet's era Mi-26T giant helicopter (photo: Nathalie)

“Both sides expressed pride in the friendly relations, trust and mutual respect inherited from the previous generation of leaders,” the Cambodian army said in a statement.

It is clarified that both sides highly appreciated the Cambodian-Russian military cooperation and pledged to strengthen interaction between the armies of the two countries.

"The Commanders of the Armed Forces of Cambodia and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen and expand ties to make them closer, more lasting and more trusting, based on equality and mutual benefit," the statement said. The Secretary General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Jan Peu, said that military relations between Cambodia and Russia "will remain strong" despite the situation in Ukraine.

(TSAMTO)