In brief
Cambodia’s new conscription law requires all male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve 24 months, with 10,000 recruits slated for the first cycle. Prime Minister Hun Manet marked the launch as a historic milestone, emphasising tactical and discipline training, while female volunteers are welcome and all recruits enter the reserves at 45. The ceremony was broadcast live on state‑run TVK and underscored the government’s commitment to national defence and personal development.
At a military base in western Kampong Speu province, Prime Minister Hun Manet opened the first wave of Cambodia’s newly enacted conscription training on Monday, 9 November 2026, a moment the Prime Minister described as a historic milestone for the country.
During the launch, Hun Manet highlighted that the training will “strengthen the bodies and spirits” of the conscripts. He explained that the 24‑month service would encompass instruction in military tactics, discipline, and professional conduct, and would teach recruits the standards of military life within the armed forces.
The new law, enacted earlier this month, obligates all Cambodian male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve a two‑year term. The Ministry of National Defense has been authorised to recruit 10,000 men for the first cycle in 2026, with the programme expected to be split into two intakes later in the year.
Women in the country are not subject to compulsory service; they may volunteer if they wish to join the military. After completing active duty, all recruits—regardless of gender—will be transferred to the reserves and can remain in that status until the age of 45.
The ceremony was broadcast live on the state‑run television channel TVK, allowing citizens to view the proceedings from their homes. State officials also noted that this training offers a unique opportunity for young men to serve the nation, master a range of military and technical skills, and pursue personal development.
In a statement to the media, he reiterated that the new regime “opens a new era of national defence” and that the government will continue to provide the necessary resources to ensure the training’s success. This initiative follows the government's broader strategy to modernise the armed forces and strengthen national security amid regional tensions.
No other sources provided differing accounts of the event. The launch marks the first practical step under the compulsory service law, with the expectation that additional intakes and long‑term reserve commitments will follow in the coming months.