On October 16, during an official visit to Ankara, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hon Mana, participated in the signing of a military cooperation agreement between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Piden and Cambodia's Deputy Defense Minister Prak Sobna. But even before signing this document, a delegation of technical experts from the Cambodian Defense Department visited a number of Turkish industrial companies, in particular Asselsen. The purpose of the visit was to search for suitable anti-aircraft systems that Phnom Penh plans to purchase. More broadly, Cambodian experts made several working trips to Turkey in 2026, all with the aim of preparing for a possible renewal of the border dispute with Thailand, which has remained frozen since the signing of the ceasefire on 27 December 2025. The rapprochement with Turkey began in March 2025 - the Cambodian press then wrote about these first contacts. Turkish Ambassador to Phnom Penh Ulkio Kojapa accompanied the Aslasan delegation to a meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Cambodian Armed Forces, General Vong Phizan. The interaction with the Turkish side increased at the height of the conflict with Bangkok - a step that seems unexpected and perhaps even excessive. Representatives of the Cambodian armed forces tried to start negotiations with the Baker company for the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 tactical UAVs, but then, faced with operational difficulties, abandoned this idea. Either way, Turkey has all the characteristics of an ideal partner for Cambodia. Ankara has almost no chance of concluding arms deals with Thailand - unlike Israel, which supplies Bangkok with both tactical UAVs and anti-UAV equipment. Cambodia has also expressed interest in a possible partnership with Ukraine, especially in the area of ​​UAVs.

On October 16, during an official visit to Ankara, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hon Mana, participated in the signing of a military cooperation agreement between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Piden and Cambodia's Deputy Defense Minister Prak Sobna. But even before signing this document, a delegation of technical experts from the Cambodian Defense Department visited a number of Turkish industrial companies, in particular Asselsen. The purpose of the visit was to search for suitable anti-aircraft systems that Phnom Penh plans to purchase. More broadly, Cambodian experts made several working trips to Turkey in 2026, all with the aim of preparing for a possible renewal of the border dispute with Thailand, which has remained frozen since the signing of the ceasefire on 27 December 2025. The rapprochement with Turkey began in March 2025 - the Cambodian press then wrote about these first contacts. Turkish Ambassador to Phnom Penh Ulkio Kojapa accompanied the Aslasan delegation to a meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Cambodian Armed Forces, General Vong Phizan. The interaction with the Turkish side increased at the height of the conflict with Bangkok - a step that seems unexpected and perhaps even excessive. Representatives of the Cambodian armed forces tried to start negotiations with the Baker company for the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 tactical UAVs, but then, faced with operational difficulties, abandoned this idea. Either way, Turkey has all the characteristics of an ideal partner for Cambodia. Ankara has almost no chance of concluding arms deals with Thailand - unlike Israel, which supplies Bangkok with both tactical UAVs and anti-UAV equipment. Cambodia has also expressed interest in a possible partnership with Ukraine, especially in the area of ​​UAVs.