The aid, which was distributed through the Defense Ministry, is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen bilateral defense and security cooperation with its ASEAN neighbor.

Indonesian Ambassador to Phnom Penh Santo Darmosusanto handed over the military aid to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) vice commander-in-chief Gen. Mao Sophan, the Indonesian Military (TNI) said in a statement on Monday.

The Indonesian Air Force’s Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transported the military aid, which consisted of 150 SS2-V5 A1 assault rifles and 20 G2 Elite pistols, as well as 500,000 rounds of 5.56 x 45 mm bullets and 500,000 rounds of 9 x 19mm bullets.

All munitions were made by state-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad.

“I am pleased to see that such strong ties have provided the foundation for a significant elevation of our bilateral cooperation in various areas in the last few years. We are honored to do this at a time when we are celebrating our 65 years of diplomatic relations,”Santo said during last Thursday’s ceremony, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

The ambassador also expressed hope that continued strengthening of bilateral defense and security cooperation would contribute positively to peace and stability in both countries and across the region.

Gen. Mao, who is also commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, meanwhile conveyed his utmost appreciation to the Indonesian government and the Defense Ministry, and expressed hope for the continuance of the two countries’ strong diplomatic and military ties.

The equipment provided in the military aid demonstrated the potential of Indonesia’s defense industry and opened a new dimension to Indonesia-Cambodia defense and security cooperation, the statement said.

Also attending the handover ceremony were representatives from the Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence as well as the Royal Cambodian Army, and Indonesian Defense Attaché to Cambodia Col. Moch. Rizal.

 

Decades-long ties

Cooperation in defense and security between Cambodia and Indonesia was established in the 1970s and reinforced in the 1990s, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website, and includes capacity building and personnel exchange programs.

In 1972, the Indonesian Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) trained the Para-Commando Battalion, an elite armed forces unit of the short-lived Khmer Republic, which collapsed in 1975. Kopassus also provides training for various RCAF units, including its Special Forces Command and Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ)

After the Cambodian Civil War formally ended in 1991 with the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements, Indonesia sent more than 3,900 peacekeepers under the 1992-1993 United Nations Transition Administration in Cambodia (UNTAC).

The Cambodian public welcomed Indonesian peacekeepers, whose interactions at the grassroots level helped restore the country’s close ties after years of precarious conditions during the Cold War.

 

KRI Bima Suci visit

Members of the Indonesian diaspora and Cambodian military officers stand with a welcome banner on Aug. 16, 2024 at a port in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Behind the group is the Indonesian Navy’s KRI Bima Suci three-masted training ship, which had called at the port as part of celebrations marking 79 years of Indonesian independence and 65 years of Indonesia-Cambodia relations. (Courtesy of the Indonesian Military/-)

Earlier in August, the Indonesian Navy’s training ship KRI Bima Suci visited Cambodia to take part in a series of celebrations to commemorate the 79th anniversary of Indonesian independence and the 65th anniversary of Indonesia-Cambodia diplomatic relations, the TNI said in a statement.

The barque made a port call on Aug. 16-19, and its officers and crew, as well as Navy cadets, joined a variety of anniversary activities to strengthen brotherhood among the local Indonesian diaspora and introduce Indonesia’s maritime culture to the Cambodian people.

These activities included a flag raising ceremony and joint performances with the local Indonesian community, while the Bima Suci marching band’s performance at Otres Beach in Sihanoukville drew a crowd of some 300, including RCAF representatives, members of the Cambodian public and Indonesian diaspora.

A cocktail party was also held to celebrate the Bima Suci’s visit to the country, the first Indonesian Navy ship to do so since the KRI Dewaruci training ship in 2006, according to ambassador Santo.

The KRI Bima Suci is a 111-meter barque made in Spain, and was laid out in 2016 before it was commissioned in 2017 to replace the KRI Dewaruci, a 58 m barquentine that was laid out in 1932 and commissioned only in 1953.

The Bima Suci and its predecessor have both embarked on various overseas voyages during their service. (nvn)