Phnom Penh Post
A pair of Harbin Z-9 helicopters fly near Hong Kong earlier this year. Wikimedia Commons
Cambodia's air force will be strengthened by the arrival of 12
military helicopters, including four attack choppers, from China next
year, government officials said yesterday.
Prak Sokha, a spokesman for the Royal Cambodian Air Force, told the
Post yesterday that 25 Cambodian pilots and mechanics were training in
China in preparation for the Kingdom receiving the Chinese-made Z-9
helicopters between April and August.
“We expect that by April, some of them will finish their training and will return with two helicopters,” he said.
Of the 12 helicopters, four would be used for fighting purposes, six
for general transport and two for transporting high-ranking officials,
Sokha said.
These comments echoed earlier reports quoting Royal Cambodian Arm
Forces commander Pol Sarouen and Royal Cambodian Air Force commander
Soeung Samnang saying similar things.
“What I am not so clear on is whether the Cambodian government has
bought these or whether they have been granted to us,” Sokha said.The
government, boasting of a new era of cooperation with China, announced
in August last year it had struck a deal with the superpower to receive a
batch of Z-9 helicopters for $195 million. Media reports at the time
suggested a loan from China would cover the cost.
About 100 tanks and 40 armoured personnel carriers, believed to be
from Ukraine, arrived at Sihanoukville port in late October, one of the
largest single shipments of military vehicles in Cambodia’s recent
history.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said he was concerned about the
percentage of the national budget allocated to military spending and the
fact the government was making decisions about purchases without debate
in parliament.
“We have doubts about equipment that is not accounted for or [deals] that are not transparent,” he said.
Chhay said military equipment from China was often expensive and of
poor quality and the origin and volume of Cambodia’s military
acquisitions were a topic for parliament.
“We as parliamentarians have a right to know,” he said.
Mey Vann, a director from the Ministry of Finance, could not be reached for comment.
2 comments:
Would Vietnam buy from China as well?
No Vietnam buy their weapons from Russia or France.
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