AKP Phnom Penh, February 26, 2026 -- The Japanese government on Thursday delivered advanced demining machinery to Cambodia, marking a significant step in the Kingdom of Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to clear millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by decades of conflict.

The equipment was handed over to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), the State-run agency tasked with the humanitarian mission of making the country landmine-free.

H.E. Heng Ratana, Director-General of CMAC, confirmed the arrival of the machinery on Thursday. In a statement, he characterised the donation as a vital contribution to "humanitarian peace," noting that the specialised equipment would be deployed to eliminate the remnants of past Thai aggression and ensure the safety of rural populations.

The shipment includes Komatsu heavy-duty demining machines, each weighing over 40 tonnes. These specialised units are the result of a long-standing technical partnership between CMAC and Japan’s Komatsu Ltd., which began developing demining technology specifically for Cambodia’s challenging terrain in the late 1990s. 

The first iterations of these machines were officially integrated into CMAC operations in 2005.

"We express our deep gratitude to the Government of Japan for providing this heavy demining machinery," H.E. Heng Ratana said. "This support is crucial for accelerating our clearance operations, allowing displaced citizens to return to their ancestral lands and rebuild their lives in safety and peace."

By K. Rithy Reak