France and Cambodia mark 80 years of military cooperation

PHNOM PENH, Jan 21, 2026 (KPT) — France and Cambodia are marking 80 years of military cooperation, celebrating a partnership that began in 1946 and has since evolved into decades of training, advisory work and technical support for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

The French Embassy said current defence cooperation focuses on mentoring senior officers, promoting French language instruction at Cambodia’s military academy, training officers in logistics and operational planning, and preparing Cambodian “Blue Helmets” for United Nations peacekeeping missions.

“This anniversary is a testament to the enduring friendship and shared commitment between our armed forces,” the embassy said in a statement, noting France’s role in modernising Cambodia’s military after independence in 1953.

French advisors have long supported Cambodia’s defence development, with cooperation expanding to address contemporary challenges such as peacekeeping, counterterrorism and regional security.

The milestone also underscores broader diplomatic and cultural ties between the two countries, which maintain strong relationships in education, development and cultural exchange.

Officials said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to continued collaboration and explore new avenues for joint training, technical support and peacekeeping initiatives.