Cambodia-US 'Angkor Sentinel' Exercise Set for February 2027 Amid Improving Bilateral Ties

The Cambodian army announced plans to resume the joint military exercise 'Angkor Sentinel' with the United States in February 2027. This marks the revival of the drill after a decade-long hiatus and comes amid signs of improving bilateral relations. The army stated on September 4 that specific dates were not detailed. The announcement followed a preliminary planning meeting held from August 31 to September 4 by the Cambodian army's peacekeeping forces, the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants Clearance, the US Army Pacific, and the Idaho National Guard. This meeting is considered a significant step towards resuming the bilateral exercise after a ten-year suspension. On its official Facebook page, the Cambodian army stated, 'The 2027 Angkor Sentinel exercise is scheduled to take place in February 2027 to enhance interoperability and disaster response capabilities, reflecting the new momentum in military cooperation between Cambodia and the United States and a shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation.' According to the same source, Cambodian and US forces discussed key training activities, including command post exercises and professional exchanges in fields such as health, engineering, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance. The 'Angkor Sentinel' exercise was first conducted in 2010, marking a historic moment in defense relations between the two countries, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Both sides continued to conduct joint exercises annually for seven consecutive years, focusing on peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid, and disaster response, before the exercise was suspended in 2017.