A trainees takes part in specialised artillery training in preparation for their deployment with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in Siem Reap province on December 13. Photo supplied
Six undred Cambodian troops completed a nine-month artillery training course with the 6th Generation Artillery Command. The course aimed to give the soldier the skills they need to defend the Kingdom and protect its territorial integrity.
The artillery command plans to provide four additional courses to the trainees.
In a December 31 social media post, the Ministry of National Defence announced that the command had closed the 2023 course in October and will now open the 2024 intake, which will be overseen by Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) director of artillery Nob Ratana.
The post announced that 600 non-commissioned officers and officers and 60 commanders have undergone the specialised 2023 training, which was conducted from January 1, 2023 to early October.
The ministry added that 110 participants received “excellent scores”, 272 participants earned “fairly good” scores and 209 were awarded “medium” marks.
Nov Sina, deputy commander of the RCAF Artillery Command, said the command planned to provide four additional training courses to them.
The first will see 200 trainees receive three months of specialised instruction in the use of self-propelled artillery. The second will see 200 participants study counter-battery techniques. The third provide long-range artillery skills to 200 members of the army.
The final course will offer heavy truck driving skills to the 60 trainees who failed to end last year’s nine-month training course.
“Please remember that these specialised artillery techniques require a high level of collective spirit, in order to ensure we become masters of our weapons. At the end of these courses, you will not stop learning. You must continue to seek further understanding and evolve your artillery skills,” added Sina.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that strengthening the capacity of army personnel is very important. High-level artillery mastery is rare in the RCAF, but is essential skill on the modern battlefield.
“This specialised training for the Cambodian military is crucial. It is a fundamental fact that the military of any nation cannot lack skills. No matter what area of the military – whether artillery, infantry or another branch of service – we must encourage our soldiers to acquire as much knowledge as possible,” he added.
He encouraged the government to continue to strengthen the capacity of the RCAF, suggesting that no nation can ignore the development of its defence capabilities. The government should focus on improving discipline and modernising the military.
