Royal Cambodian Air Force
| Royal Cambodian Air Force Kangtrop Akas Khemarak Phumin Royales Cambodgiennes Armée de l'air |
|
|---|---|
 Roundel |
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| Active | 1953 - Present |
| Country |  Kingdom of Cambodia |
| Type | Air Force |
| Size | 2,500 (2010) |
| Part of | Royal Cambodian Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Phnom Penh |
| Motto | Defending the Kingdom of Cambodia |
| Anniversaries | 9 November 1953 |
| Engagements | Cambodian Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Soeung Samyang |
The Royal Cambodian Air Force (Kangtrop Akas Khemarak Phumin) is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.
Contents |
[edit] 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/Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Siem Reap International Airport.[citation needed]
[edit] History
During the early 1990s mi-8 and mi-17 helicopters entered service. So did two Harbin Y-12 and three BN-2 Islander transport aircraft.A VIP transport unit formed in 1993 using the An-24RV and Beech 200 super King air. In 1996 a deal with Israel aircraft industries to overhaul 12 MIG 21's and which saw the delivery of 6 L-39C Albatros aircraft for lead in trainers and entered service during 1996-1997. The L-39s and MiG-21s are no longer operational.[citation needed]
[edit] Aircraft inventory
Only the Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters are currently serviceable.[citation needed] The VIP fleet of helicopters and passenger aircraft is under the control of the civilian authorities. The Y-12 transport aircraft are probably operated by the VIP squadron now.[citation needed]
[edit] Aircraft inventory
As of 2010[update], the backbone of the PAF inventory consists of:
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Active | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-wing aircraft | |||||
| Aero L-39 Albatros |  Czechoslovakia |
Trainer/ light ground-attack | 5 [1] | ||
| Harbin Y-12 |  China |
Utility transport | 2 | ||
| BN-2A Islander |  United Kingdom |
Light Utility Transport | 3 [2] | ||
| Antonov An-24 |  Soviet Union |
Transport aircraft | 3[3] | ||
| MiG-21bis | Soviet Union |
fighter | 4 (upgraded)[4] | ||
| MiG-21 UM Mongol | Soviet Union |
fighter | 2 (upgraded)[5] | Total delivered 3 | |
| Helicopters | |||||
| Mil Mi-8 Hip | Soviet Union |
Transport helicopter | 4 | ||
| Mil Mi-17 Hip-H | Soviet Union |
Transport helicopter | 2 | ||
| Mil Mi-26 Halo | Soviet Union |
Transport helicopter | 2[6] | ||
| Aérospatiale AS 355 Ecureuil |  France |
utility helicopter | 1[7] | ||
| Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin | France |
utility helicopter | 1 | ||
[edit] See also
- Royal Cambodian Army
- Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Royal Cambodian Navy
- Cambodian Civil War
- Weapons of the Cambodian Civil War
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf
- ^ http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/cambodia/index.php
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf
- ^ http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/cambodia/cam-af-aircraft.htm#mi-26
- ^ http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/cambodia/cam-af-aircraft.htm#mi-26
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf
- World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05
