‘Golden Dragon’ military exercise ready to launch

by Torn Vibol
May 7, 2025

Combined troops from Cambodian and Chinese armies during the ‘Golden Dragon’ exercises at the Military Police Training Centre in Samakki Meanchey district in Kampong Chhnang province last year. Heng Chivoan photo

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct the annual “Golden Dragon” joint military exercise from May 14 to 28, 2025, under the theme “Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief Work”. The exercise aims to deepen the strategic partnership, enhance military cooperation, exchange experiences, and strengthen both countries’ counter-terrorism and disaster response capabilities.

According to an announcement from the RCAF, the drills will take place at two separate locations: land and air exercises will be conducted at the Royal Cambodian Military Police Training Centre (Phnom Chum Sen Rikreay) in Kampong Chhnang province, while sea and air exercises will be held in waters and airspace in Preah Sihanouk province.

A total of 2,176 troops will participate – 1,331 from Cambodia and 845 from China.

At a press conference on Monday, General Ith Sarath, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF, confirmed that the joint drill is part of the long-standing military cooperation between Cambodia and China.

The exercise will involve a wide range of equipment, including three warships and an amphibious assault craft, two new Chinese C20 helicopters, various artillery systems, a new type of armoured vehicle, 20 drones (reconnaissance and combat), unmanned ground vehicles, robotic dogs and combat units, and a C5 command vehicle capable of countering various technologies.