Royal Cambodian Air Force

Summary

The Royal Cambodian Air Force (Khmer: កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស, romanizedKâng Toăp Cheung Akas [kɑːŋtɔəp cəːŋ ʔaːkaːh]; lit.'Air Army') is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.

Royal Cambodian Air Force
កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស
Badge of the Royal Cambodian Air Force
Founded9 November 1953; 70 years ago (1953-11-09)
Country Cambodia
AllegianceHM The King
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces
HeadquartersPhnom Penh, Cambodia
Motto(s)"ការពារព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា" (Khmer)
("Defend the Kingdom of Cambodia")
Mascot(s)Aafra Zarnaz Auhona
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
General Soeung Samnang
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash

Organisation edit

The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by General Soeung Samnang, who has four deputy commanders beneath him. The Air Force itself is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence.

Air Force headquarters are located at Phnom Penh International Airport and is still sign posted Pochentong Air Base. The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron. Maintenance of aircraft and helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Z-9 and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport.

Recently, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense plans to purchase five L-39NG light fighter jets from the Czech Republic. In the past, the Cambodian Air Force has already purchased Mil Mi-17 and Mil Mi-171 helicopters.

Inventory edit

Previous inventory edit

In the past some MiG-21 fighters were operational. These aircraft in 2023 could be seen on ground in Phnom Penh international airport.

Current inventory edit

 
A former Mil Mi-26 Halo of the Royal Cambodian Air Force.[1]
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Airbus A320 France VIP transport 1[2]
Xian MA60 China transport 2[3]
Harbin Y-12 China transport / utility 1[3]
Britten-Norman BN-2 United Kingdom transport 1[3]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Russia transport 9[3]
Mil Mi-17 Russia transport 6[3]
Harbin Z-9 China utility 9[3]
Eurocopter AS350 France utility 3[3]
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy utility 2[4]
Trainer
Aero L-39 Czechoslovakia trainer / light attack L-39C 5[5]

Sport edit

The force maintains a professional association football team as one of its branches, which formerly played in the C-League.

Air Force ranks and insignia edit

Rank group General/Flag/Air officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
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    នាយឧត្តមសេនីយ៍
    Néay ŭtdâmôséniy
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    Ŭtdâmôséniy êk
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    Ŭtdâmôséniy toŭ
    ឧត្តមសេនីយ៍ត្រី
    Ŭtdâmôséniy trei
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    Vôrôséniy trei
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    Ânŭséniy êk
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    Ânŭséniy trei
    នាយចំណង់
    Néay châmnáng
    Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
      Royal Cambodian Air Force
                     
    Warrant Officer Command Sergeant Major Master Sergeant Staff Sergeant Chief Corporal Corporal Airman 1st Class Airman 2nd Class Airman

    See also edit

    References edit

    1. ^ "World Air Forces 2015 pg. 12". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
    2. ^ "Air Force One of Cambodia". alfredmeier.me. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
    3. ^ a b c d e f g "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
    4. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
    5. ^ Vogel, Ben (16 October 2019). "Cambodia could buy more L-39s". janes.com. Jane's Defence Industry. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
    • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 11–17 December 2012, Vol. 182 No. 5370. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
    • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 194, No. 5665, 4–10 December 2018, pp. 32–60. ISSN 0015-3710
    • World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05