In brief
On 9 November, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet marked the start of the first wave of compulsory military training. The new law requires all male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve 24 months, with 10,000 recruits selected for 2026. Women may volunteer and conscripts join reserves until age 45.
Cambodia began the first wave of compulsory military training on 9 November, the government said from a base in western Kampong Speu province.
Prime Minister Hun Manet hailed the launch as a historic milestone, noting that the training would strengthen recruits’ bodies and spirits and that they would learn military tactics, discipline and professional conduct, according to Xinhua.
The new legislation, implemented in 2026, obliges all male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve a 24‑month term; women may volunteer, as reported by Xinhua. Hun Manet also said that after active duty conscripts will join the reserves until age 45.
Under the program, the Ministry of National Defense has been authorized to recruit 10,000 citizens for the 2026 cohort, a figure mentioned by both Xinhua and the KPS99TV source.
The launch was broadcast live on the state‑run channel TVK, as noted by Xinhua.