Japan will provide patrol boats and communications equipment to Cambodia’s military under its Official Security Assistance (OSA) program, marking the first time Phnom Penh has received support through the framework.
The agreement was signed on Sunday at Cambodia’s Defence Ministry by Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha.
The aid package, worth ¥500 million (about US$3 million), includes patrol boats and communication devices aimed at strengthening security cooperation between the two countries.
Japan’s OSA program provides defence equipment and other materials to partner countries that share common security interests. Tokyo has previously supplied coastal surveillance radar systems to the Philippines under the program and agreed to provide disaster response and rescue equipment to Thailand.
Cambodia is also planning to establish a military communications school, with possible cooperation from Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force.
The agreement comes as Japan seeks to expand security ties with countries in the region amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
