Hun Sen Defends Tank Imports, Says Cambodia Has No History of Invading Neighbours
Hun Sen Defends Tank Imports, Says Cambodia Has No History of Invading Neighbours
BATTAMBANG, June 11, 2026 — Cambodian Senate President and Acting Head of State Hun Sen on Thursday defended Cambodia’s recent acquisition of tanks and military equipment, saying the move was part of the Kingdom’s sovereign right to strengthen its defence capabilities and did not constitute a threat to any country.
Speaking during a visit to the DSS military equipment manufacturing factory in Battambang province, where he met with more than 200 workers, Hun Sen rejected criticism surrounding Cambodia’s military procurement programme.
“Every country has the sovereign right to build its military capacity,” he said. “Some countries produce nuclear weapons and missiles. Cambodia has never objected to that. Therefore, no country should criticise Cambodia for importing tanks.”
Hun Sen stressed that military modernisation should not be interpreted as preparation for aggression, but rather as a necessary measure to safeguard national security and ensure the country’s ability to defend itself.
He noted that Cambodia has operated hundreds of tanks in the past and that the recently imported batch of more than 30 tanks represented only a small fraction of the country’s overall armoured capabilities. Additional deliveries are expected in the future, he added.
“Cambodia does not invade anyone and does not threaten anyone, whether that country is strong or weak,” Hun Sen said. “If you look at history, Cambodia has never had a tradition of invading other countries.”
He pointed out that Cambodian troops deployed abroad have done so only as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions or, during the colonial era, under French command.
Addressing speculation that newly imported tanks had already been moved to the Cambodia-Thailand border, Hun Sen dismissed the reports as inaccurate.
“Some of the tanks have not even been unloaded from their containers yet, but reports claimed they had already been deployed to the border,” he said. “There is no need for that at this time.”
Nevertheless, Hun Sen emphasized that Cambodia possesses sufficient military capabilities to respond to any security threat should one arise.
“If there is a threat against us, we cannot simply stand by and watch,” he said.
At the same time, Hun Sen reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms.
“Cambodia continues to uphold a peaceful approach through dialogue and the mechanisms already established under existing agreements,” he said. “But peace does not mean remaining passive if someone attacks us.”
His remarks come amid heightened public attention to military developments and border issues between Cambodia and Thailand, with both governments repeatedly stating their preference for peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.
