Royal Cambodian Air Force Kangtrop Akas Khemarak Phumin Royales Cambodgiennes Armée de l'air | |
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![]() Roundel | |
Active | 1953 – Present |
Country |
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Type | Air Force |
Size | 2,500 (2010) |
Part of | Royal Cambodian Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Phnom Penh |
Motto(s) | Defending the Kingdom of Cambodia |
Anniversaries | 9 November 1953 |
Engagements | Cambodian Civil War, Cambodian–Vietnamese War |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Soeung Samyang |
The Royal Cambodian Air Force is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.
Organization
The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by Lieutenant 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.[citation needed] The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron.[citation needed] Maintenance of helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Siem Reap International Airport
History
During the early 1990 Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters entered service with the Air Force, as well as Harbin Y-12 and BN-2 Islander transport aircraft. A VIP transport unit was formed in 1995 using the An-24RV and Beech 200 Super King Air. In 2000 a deal was made with Israeli Aircraft Industries to overhaul MIG 21's and which saw the delivery of L-39C Albatross aircraft for lead in trainers and entered service during 1995–2000.
Aircraft inventory
Only the Mi-8, Mil Mi-26 Halo and Mi-17 helicopters are currently serviceable. The VIP fleet of helicopters and passenger aircraft is under the control of the civilian authorities.
Aircraft inventory
As of 2015[update], the backbone of the RCAF inventory consists of:
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Active | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fixed-wing aircraft | |||||
Aero L-39 Albatros | ![]() |
ground-attack | 5[1] | ||
Xian MA60 | ![]() |
60-seat transport | 2[2] | ||
Harbin Y-12 | ![]() |
Utility transport | 2[1] | ||
BN-2A Islander | Utility Transport | 1[1] | |||
Antonov An-24 | Transport aircraft | 2[1] | |||
MiG-21 | fighter | 20[1] | Maybe already retired | ||
Tecnam P92 | Reconnaissance Training aircraft | 5[1] | |||
Helicopters | |||||
Mil Mi-8/Mil Mi-17 | Transport helicopter | 7[1] | |||
Mil Mi-26 | Transport helicopter | 2[1] | |||
Aérospatiale AS 355 Ecureuil | utility helicopter | 1[1] | |||
Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin | utility helicopter | 1[1] | |||
Harbin Z-9 | ![]() |
10 utility helicopter, 2 attack | 2 | 12 on order[3] |
See also
- Royal Cambodian Army
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Royal Cambodian Navy
- Cambodian Civil War
- Khmer National Armed Forces
- Khmer National Air Force
- Weapons of the Cambodian Civil War
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Cambodia. |
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 11–17 December 2012, Vol. 182 No. 5370. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
- World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05
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