Cambodia and US Pacific Fleet Commander Agree to Resume CARAT Exercise in 2027

Cambodian Commander General Vong Pisen met with US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen T. Koehler on the morning of August 7, 2026, agreeing to further strengthen military cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the progress of relations and military cooperation between Cambodia and the United States, particularly between the navies of both countries, was highly valued. This includes mutual visits, human resource development, military ship port calls, and preparations for joint exercises. Regarding the preparation for joint military exercises, Admiral Koehler affirmed the resumption of the "CARAT" (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) exercise in 2027. CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise conducted by the US Navy with ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, which began in 2010 but was temporarily suspended since 2017. Furthermore, Admiral Koehler stated that the US Pacific Fleet will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Cambodian armed forces in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and participation in the SEACAT exercise, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region. General Vong Pisen expressed gratitude to the United States for its contributions to Cambodia's peace process and development. He welcomed the continued strengthening of cooperation in defense, counter-terrorism, combating transnational crime, searching for the remains of missing American servicemen, and enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces. During the meeting with the US military official, General Vong Pisen also raised the issue of border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand. He reaffirmed Cambodia's stance on resolving border issues peacefully based on international law and declared that any alteration of border lines through military force would not be recognized. The Commander of the US Pacific Fleet expressed admiration for Cambodia's commitment to resolving issues peacefully. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local