AKP Phnom Penh, March 25, 2025 --

H.E. General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), held a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe and a delegation from ASELSAN, a prominent Turkish defence company, to discuss potential cooperation.

The meeting, held at the RCAF headquarters here on Mar. 25 morning, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring avenues for defence industry collaboration.

H.E. General Vong Pisen emphasised the growing relationship between Cambodia and Türkiye, highlighting the mutual support both nations provide on the international stage. While acknowledging that military cooperation has been limited, he expressed a strong desire to enhance future engagement.

He lauded Türkiye’s defence capabilities and welcomed ASELSAN’s interest in partnering with Cambodia, citing the potential to bolster the RCAF’s capabilities.

"We are keen to explore how we can strengthen our defence relationship with Türkiye," H.E. General Vong Pisen stated, acknowledging the potential benefits of engaging with a company like ASELSAN.

For his part, Mr. Anu, ASELSAN’s Regional Director for Asia, provided an overview of the company, emphasising its global presence and extensive expertise in defence research and development.

He highlighted ASELSAN’s status as a NATO member company, noting its compliance with international laws and NATO standards, and its export of products to 90 countries.

"ASELSAN is committed to exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnership in the region," Mr. Anu said, stressing the company's interest in contributing to the development of Cambodia's defence sector.

The meeting signals a potential expansion of defence cooperation between Cambodia and Türkiye, with ASELSAN poised to play a key role in future collaborations. Discussions focused on laying the groundwork for potential future agreements and partnerships in the defence industry.

By K. Rithy Reak