Tea Seiha Visits Australian Naval Base During Historic Defence Trip

Tea Seiha Visits Australian Naval Base During Historic Defence Trip

SYDNEY, Sept. 7, 2026 — Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha visited HMAS Kuttabul Naval Base in Sydney on September 7, as part of his historic official visit to Australia aimed at further strengthening defence and military cooperation between the two countries.

Tea Seiha led a high-level delegation from the Ministry of National Defence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces during the visit. The delegation was welcomed by Rear Admiral Bradley Smith, Head of Maritime Sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy.

The five-day visit, running from September 6 to 10, is being made at the invitation of Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles. It marks the first official visit to Australia by a Cambodian Minister of National Defence, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence.

During the visit, Tea Seiha is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Marles and meet other senior Australian defence officials. Discussions are expected to cover areas of bilateral military cooperation, including maritime security, cybersecurity, information sharing, professional military education and training, and defence policy development.

The Cambodian government said the visit is intended to reaffirm the longstanding friendship between Cambodia and Australia while further advancing bilateral military and defence cooperation. The two governments are also working toward elevating their broader bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.