Tanks, Armored Vehicles Arrive in Shipment From Europe

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia has imported more than 100 tanks from Europe to bolster national defense, officials said Tuesday.

“Those are really important,” said Defense Minister Tea Banh, who declined to give details on the kinds of tanks and the total number. “From 100 to 200 tanks” were imported from European countries, he said. “These are for improving our capacity, for training and for a time when it is necessary to use them,” he said.

A senior defense official told VOA Khmer the military shipment included tanks, armored personnel carries and material, arriving in the port of Sihanoukville on Tuesday.

Cambodia purchased nearly 100 tanks from Eastern Europe in 2010, during a border standoff with Thailand near Preah Vihear temple.

Defense officials said Cambodia must continue to improve its defense capabilities. That has meant a lion’s share of the national budget goes toward defense spending. In 2012, the government allotted $350 million of $2.5 billion budget toward defense.