Cambodianess /
PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on July 14 that compulsory military service will be enforced starting next year as part of efforts to strengthen Cambodia’s military capacity.
Speaking at the anniversary of the Royal Gendarmerie in Kampong Chhnang province, Hun Manet said he has approved in principle an amendment to the Law on Compulsory Military Service, which was originally passed in 2006 and contains 16 articles.
He said the proposed amendment will revise sections deemed outdated, particularly those related to the length of conscription.
According to Hun Manet, implementing military service will not only develop technical skills but also build discipline and moral character among young Cambodians.
Under the 2006 law, all Cambodian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 are required to serve in the military for 18 months. However, military service for women remains voluntary.
“From 2026, we will implement the Compulsory Military Service Law as we have sufficient resources to do so,” Hun Manet said, adding that the amendment will be completed as soon as possible.
He said the revised law would extend the service period to 24 months to allow time for recruitment, training, and deployment, as the existing 18-month term is considered too short.
Following their training, conscripts will serve for 18 months in active duty, he added.
Hun Manet also said that enforcing the law would increase the number of troops, as it allows for a wider recruitment base than the current professional forces.
He noted that the government would retain the authority to limit the number of conscripts, using the system to replace retiring personnel as needed.
He said the two-year term would give young conscripts valuable exposure to military life, benefiting the armed forces. After completing their service, they could either choose to join the professional military or return to civilian life.
“During these two years, they could evaluate whether to be a soldier rather than run away after several months,” he said.
Hun Manet added that in times of need, the government would have access to a trained reserve force. He concluded that the time is right to enforce the law.
