Cambodia boosts army with new tanks, fighter vehicles

Hun Xen's bodyguard unit (Photo: DAP news)

9/15/2010
Agence France-Presse

Cambodia is buying dozens of new tanks and other combat vehicles to boost its military, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, as a deadly border dispute with Thailand rumbles on.

The pro-government newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea reported that 50 new T55 tanks and 44 armoured personnel carriers are set to arrive in the country next week.

Military officials could not be reached for comment but foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong confirmed that Cambodia had purchased a number of tanks and fighting vehicles and said further shipments would follow.

"We will have many more" than 94, Koy Kuong told AFP.