Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - New training centre to bolster Kingdom’s defence sector

New training centre to bolster Kingdom’s defence sector

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
RCAF Deputy Commander Hun Manet (centre) and National Military Police commander Sao Sokha (right) in Kampong Chhnang province on Monday. Fresh News

New training centre to bolster Kingdom’s defence sector

A Phnom Chumreay International Military Police Training Centre being built on 5,000ha in Kampong Chhnang province’s Samaki Meanchey district is as an important component in strengthening the Kingdom’s national defence sector, senior officials said.

Deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and commander of the National Military Police Sao Sokha, RCAF deputy commander-in-chief and commander of the army’s infantry Hun Manet, and Ministry of Economy and Finance secretary of state Vongsey Vissoth touted the centre during a visit on Monday.

“The importance of this training centre is to contribute to strengthening the national defence sector and army capacities. When we speak about strengthening army capacities, we have to speak about training and that depends largely on the training site,” Manet said.

The multi-functional training centre can be used not only for national and international sporting competition, but also for RCAF training. It is expected to be used by Military Police personnel, infantry units, as well as navy and air force personnel.

“[This centre] has advantages. The first is to pool resources in building a standard training centre that we can use. The other is to pool basic resources for training including trainers, infrastructure and accessories. We don’t have as many of these items as a major power.

“The installation of equipment is an important task for training our armies to succeed more effectively,” he said.

Sokha thanked people for their contributions to building the centre on the site that was formerly forest land.

“The Military Police are proud. The importance of building the training centre is part of a long-term strategy for Cambodia,” he said.

Vissoth said the training site is satisfactory and effective. Construction, he added, was carried out according to plan with high-quality standards.

“This location will serve as a large training site to help our troops improve quality capacity for national missions defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, protecting internal security or rescuing people from disasters,” he said.

The training centre cost roughly $13 million from the national budget to construct. Grants from national and international development partners were also used.

National Military Police spokesman Eng Hy told The Post on Tuesday that everything for training, such as multi-school buildings, classrooms, water facilities and accommodation, are already done.

“We started developing the construction of this training centre between 2009 and 2013 and we have been building it continuously,” he said.

The project is expected to be completed before the end of 2023.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former