AKP Phnom Penh, July 14, 2025 --

Cambodia will begin implementing its military conscription law in 2026, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet announced today.

To facilitate the implementation, the Prime Minister has instructed relevant ministries to prepare amendments to two key laws: the 2006 Military Conscription Law and the Pension Law.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of new achievements at the Phnom Chum Sen Rikreay Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre in Kampong Chhnang province this morning, Samdech Thipadei said the current conscription law mandates 18 months of service, but he intends to extend the term to 24 months, aligning it with practices in many other countries.

The Military Conscription Law, promulgated on Dec. 22, 2006, consists of six chapters and 16 articles. It mandates that Cambodian citizens aged between 18 and 30 must serve in the military. For women, military service remains voluntary.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to increase the national defence budget to further strengthen the defence sector and safeguard Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

"This initiative is not intended to threaten or invade any country, but to reinforce Cambodia’s capacity to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he emphasised.

By Heng Panha