The Royal Cambodian Navy - RCN (; ) is the naval forces service branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and one of the three uniformed services of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

It has an estimated 2,800 active personnel and operates roughly 19 ships. Commanded by Admiral Tea Vinh, it sails under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defense.Ministry of National Defense website, retrieved 16/11/08

History

The Royal Khmer Navy (French: Marine royale khmère, MRK) was originally an extension of the Khmer Royal Army (French: Armée Royale Khmère – ARK) but officially became its own separate service in 1954.

Its role initially was only relegated to coastal and riverine patrols as well as ground support for internal security operations.

By 1967, it had a strength of about 1400 officers and men including 200 men of the Naval Infantry Force.

National Committee for Maritime Security (NCMS) The NCMS was established in December 2010, on the initiative of Prime Minister Hun Sen and with support from international security partners.

Part of its role is focusing on fighting against terrorism, piracy, human trafficking, cross-border crimes, drug trafficking as well as on preserving natural resources and conducting emergency rescue works. It is overseen by Admiral Tea Vinh and has bases in Sihanoukville, Ream and Phnom Penh, working with and for the Royal Cambodian Navy.

NCMS is also responsible for the security of visiting navy's ships and personnel from neighbouring countries and allies, including China, Russia, Japan and the USA.

Equipment The navy possesses fifteen patrol craft and a further five patrol craft of the "fast attack" variety. There are also about 200 motorized and manual canoes.articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Sentinel-Security-Assessment-Southeast-Asia/Navy-Cambodia.html

The country's seagoing capability was boosted in August 2005, when China handed over 4 patrol boats. Followed by 2 in 2006 from Vietnam and again, a further 7 by China were handed over worth $100,000,000. The craft were donated to Cambodia by China to help counter piracy, transnational crime, smuggling and to safeguard future oil installations.

In 2007, Cambodia reported that it was increasing the strength of its navy from 1,000 to 3,000 sailors, apart from creating a force of 2,000 Marine infantry.

In April 2026, the RCN received one of the two Type-056 corvettes, with the other one being in a 70% completed phase.

Many officers of the Royal Cambodian Navy received their training at the Vietnam Naval Academy.

The Royal Cambodian Navy also has many plans to strengthen their naval fleet with assistance from China, Germany, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan.

Bases Naval bases of the Royal Cambodian Navy include the following: Main Headquarter located at the Chroy Changvar Naval Base (Mekong Flotilla) Ream Naval Base (Bay of Thailand Flotilla)

Flotillas

Mekong Flotilla Class Ship Name Hull NumberCurrent Status Notes Small Patrol CraftKoh Pothi-classKoh Pothi Koh Seh1103 1104Active Service Active ServiceSwift-class Mk. III, inherited from the KPRN/CPN. Recently transferred from the Bay of Thailand Flotilla. Koh Kong-class Koh Kong Koh Sdach Koh Ampil 2101 2102 2103Active Service Active Service Active Service Albatroz-class, acquired by the RCN in 2015. ASPB Unknown 2903 2904 2905Unserviceable Decommissioned Decommissioned Inherited from the KPRN/CPN. Large Patrol Craft Turya-class Unknown 1121 1122Decommissioned Decommissioned Project 206M-class, inherited from the KPRN/CPN. Small Landing Craft LCM-6 Landing Craft Unknown 2402 2406Active Service Active Service Inherited from the KPRN/CPN.

Bay of Thailand Flotilla Class Ship Name Hull NumberCurrent Status Notes Small Patrol Craft Koh Yor-class Koh Yor Koh Tunsay 1101 1102Unserviceable Unserviceable Project 1400ME-class, inherited from the KPRN/CPN. Koh Chhlam-class Koh Chhlam Koh Rong 1105 1106Active Service Active Service Fassmer FPB 21-class, acquired by the RCN in 1997. Koh Ruesay-class Koh Ruesay Koh Py Koh Krabey 1107 1108 1109Active Service Active Service Active Service Aid from China. Large Patrol Craft Shershen-class Unknown 1123 1124Decommissioned Decommissioned Project 206-class, aid from Vietnam, torpedo tubes were removed prior to handover. Koh Polowai-classKoh Polowai Koh Tang Koh Pring Koh Via 1131 1132 1133 1134Active Service Unserviceable Unserviceable Active Service Project 02059-class, inherited from the KPRN/CPN. In 1995, 1131 and 1134 were sent to Malaysia for modernization, creating a new sub-class. Koh Svay-class Koh Svay Koh Kras Koh Krasar Koh Tbal 1141 1142 1143 1144Active Service Active Service Active Service Active Service Aid from China.In 2021, a fire broke out on 1142; resulting in 4 deaths. Large Landing Craft Yuch'in-class Koh Andoek 1401Active Service Type 069-class, aid from China. LCM-8 Landing Craft Unknown Inherited from the KPRN/CPN. Corvettes Type 056 Koh Kong Senchey 622Active Service Also known as the Jiangdao-class. Supplied by China.

Navy ranks and insignia

See also Khmer National Navy Ministry of Defense, Cambodia Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Royal Cambodian Army Royal Cambodian Air Force

References