The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) procure a variety of military equipment, mainly imported from former Soviet Union/Russia and China. This includes some primary weapons with significant destructive power.
Cambodia’s military arsenal ranges from small arms to heavy artillery systems:
Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MLRS):
BM-21 Grad (122 mm): This is an unguided rocket system (mostly), focused on area saturation with 40 launch tubes and a firing range of about 20-40 kilometers, delivering high destructive power over the target area.
RM-70: Developed from the BM-21, it is considered one of Cambodia’s most powerful artillery weapons.
PHL-03 (300 mm - long-range rockets): Sourced from China, this system is notable for its capabilities, with a range between 70 and 130 or 160 kilometers depending on the rocket type. It can use guided rockets and devastate large target areas, making it a game-changing weapon.
Towed field artillery:
Cambodia operates artillery of various calibers, such as the Chinese Type 59-1 (130 mm) and Soviet/Russian D-30 (122 mm).
Armored vehicles and tanks:
They operate older main battle tanks like the T-54/55 and the Type 59 copy, as well as infantry fighting vehicles BMP-3 and armored personnel carriers BTR-60PB. There are also reports of acquiring newer main battle tanks VT-4 and self-propelled artillery SH1 (155 mm) from China.
Small arms and personal weapons:
Mostly weapons from the former Soviet Union and China, such as AK-47, Type 56/81, and some Western firearms like the M16A1.
The most concerning weapons in the border context are the multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS) like the BM-21 Grad and PHL-03.
BM-21 Grad: Although lacking high precision (focused on saturation fire), firing 40 rockets simultaneously over a target area causes severe widespread damage to personnel, buildings, and infrastructure in the rear areas.
PHL-03: With its long range and guided rocket options, this system extends Cambodia’s firing reach deep into Thailand and can devastate large areas.
Official reports state that Cambodian weapons have been fired into Thai territory during past border conflicts, especially during several clashes in 2011 (the Preah Vihear Temple dispute) and subsequent events.
Past incidents (e.g., 2011/2025):
There have been reports of BM-21 Grad rocket launches hitting deep into civilian areas on the Thai side.
For example, during the Thai-Cambodian clashes in July 2025, BM-21 rockets reportedly struck a fuel station in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, causing deaths, injuries, and damage to local homes.
Recent references:
In December 2025, there were reports of heavy fighting near Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani/Sisaket provinces. The Royal Thai Army condemned Cambodia’s use of supporting weapons fired at military lines and noted that rockets had hit Thai civilian areas, causing injuries and fatalities (sources: Line Today, The101.world). There are also reports of BM-21 rockets striking residential areas in Ban Kruat District, Buriram Province, on the Thai side.
Agreement on weapon withdrawal:
In November 2025, the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between Thailand and Cambodia resulted in a joint agreement to withdraw heavy weapons and high-destructive military equipment from the border area periodically, indicating these weapons have been deployed there.