What US lifting of arms embargo on Cambodia means for defence ties

SCMP | Feb. 10, 2026, 6:07 a.m. | Original
The United States’ decision to lift key arms-export restrictions on Cambodia signals a thaw in long-strained defence ties, but Phnom Penh is likely to make only modest purchases and remain heavily reliant on Chinese weaponry for the foreseeable future, analysts say.

In what Cambodian media described as a landmark move, the US Department of Commerce last week removed Cambodia from “Country Group D:5” – a classification that had effectively barred most US arms exports – according to a notice published in the Federal Register.

The change, which took effect on February 3, eases restrictions on the transfer of American defence-related technologies and comes amid a broader warming in military relations between Washington and Phnom Penh.

Last month, the USS Cincinnati made a port call at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, a visit framed by both sides as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two militaries.

During the visit, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, met Prime Minister Hun Manet and defence chief Tea Seiha to discuss strengthening military-to-military engagement.

Both countries also agreed to revive their annual Angkor Sentinel joint military exercises, which had been suspended since 2017.

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