Govt committed to improve military human resource base

Prime Minister Hun Manet reviews the honour guard at the inauguration of the building at the National Defence University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Friday. KT/Khem Sovannara

Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the Government plans to continue enhancing the quality of human resources in the military sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of the building at the National Defence University in Phnom Penh on Friday, Mr Hun Manet said that the Government intends to keep building up national defence.

“It is the duty of all of us, especially those of us in the armed forces, to enhance our national defence,” he said.

In addition to improving on their experience and strategic acumen regarding the nation’s defence, Mr Hun Manet urged senior military professionals to expand their knowledge of development, foreign relations, communication and other areas.

He added that the National Defence University would become a central hub for security, national defence strategy and military training for top officers from several key national institutions, all thanks to the planning and preparation of the government.

“Building on previous achievements at the National Defence University is a key part of the policy joining the military and the Royal Government in the shared aim to reform and to enhance the capacity of the defence sector,” he said.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces plays an important role for cooperating with neighbouring countries, which is work required to prevent and to suppress transnational crime effectively.

Mr Hun Manet added that the defence sector must be improved constantly. To this end, there must be an emphasis on capacity and quality.

“There must be constant training and coaching to make the defence sector move forward,” he added.

Mr Hun Manet noted that the National Defence University – as well as other training schools in the defence sector – must enhance all of their capabilities, including developing higher qualifications for military personnel through expanding the scope of training and research.

He added that Cambodia’s history, as well as the division situations caused by wars, explains why the country requires a robust military with numerous officers. To end and avoid conflict, all military forces must be deeply integrated, efficiently organised, and adequately maintained.

The Premier also asked that the Ministry of National Defence quickly expedite the planning and preparation of the framework defining military duties for the nation.

Mr Hun Manet offered specific recommendations for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) to study and learn from the history and experiences of war in Cambodia, while also looking to today and the future to make the best of the latest developments in military technology, and to use their knowledge and new equipment to improve the performance of their duties.

He added that several Cambodian military officers have had experience of conflict during the situation of the civil war.

However, he added that the end of the war did not cause Cambodia to lose its defensive capabilities. He said that in future, the command of armed forces must be balanced properly to make it more easily manageable.

He said, “We need to increase the number of ground fighters, and improve the qualification of officers, deputies and soldiers – especially combat units – to fill up positions with more soldiers rather than more officers.”

General Chhum Sucheat, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Defence, said that the Premier’s recommendations are well heeded.

“I support the Prime Minister, and the Ministry will be trying to implement the plans outlined by the Prime Minister,” he said.