Cambodia and the United States are preparing to revive major joint military exercises in 2027, marking a significant step in rebuilding defense ties after nearly a decade of limited military cooperation.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Friday that the two countries would restart the Angkor Sentinel exercise next year following talks in Phnom Penh with U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby. Hun Manet described the planned drills as a way to strengthen relations between the two armed forces and pointed to broader progress in bilateral defense cooperation.
The announcement comes alongside plans for renewed naval cooperation. Cambodian and U.S. military officials have also discussed bringing back the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT, maritime exercise in 2027. Those discussions took place during an August 7 meeting between Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Gen. Vong Pisen and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Steve Koehler.
The countries are exploring cooperation beyond large-scale exercises, including personnel training, future U.S. Navy ship visits, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and professional military education. Cambodia is also expected to participate in the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training exercise, known as SEACAT.
Military drills between Washington and Phnom Penh were suspended in early 2017 after years of joint exercises, during a period when Cambodia’s security relationship with China was expanding rapidly. China has since become Cambodia’s most important defense partner, and the two countries have conducted increasingly large military exercises.
Washington has also closely watched developments at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, which was renovated with Chinese assistance. U.S. officials have previously raised concerns over Beijing’s potential access to the strategically located facility, while Cambodian authorities have repeatedly said the base will not be reserved for any single foreign country.
Recent U.S. naval visits to Ream, including the USS Cincinnati in January 2026, have nevertheless pointed to improving military engagement.
The planned return of Angkor Sentinel and CARAT suggests Phnom Penh is seeking a broader range of defense partnerships while retaining its close relationship with Beijing. For Washington, renewed cooperation with Cambodia provides another opportunity to expand security engagement in Southeast Asia as strategic competition across the Indo-Pacific continues.
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