(Phnom Penh): Royal Navy Ship HMS Tamar arrived in Cambodia on Thursday (Aug. 20) for a visit that marks the next step in the growing defence relationship between the United Kingdom and Cambodia.

The deployment demonstrates practical maritime cooperation, professional military exchanges and community engagement, reinforcing the UK's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order.

The visit includes a landmark call at Ream Naval Base, marking the first visit by a Royal Navy vessel to the facility. As one of only a small number of international warships to visit Ream since its reopening in April 2025, HMS Tamar's presence reflects Cambodia's commitment to openness and engagement with international partners, while creating new opportunities for practical cooperation between the Royal Navy and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

It also recognises Cambodia's sovereign right to pursue diverse and balanced defence relationships with partners across the region and beyond.

Dominic Williams, British Ambassador to Cambodia said, "I am delighted to welcome Commander Tom Lindsey and the crew of HMS Tamar to Cambodia. The British navy has an illustrious history and its sailors are among the finest in the world. I am delighted that they have come to the Kingdom to share their expertise and their traditional navy hospitality with our Cambodian friends.This first port call to Ream Naval Base is a sign of our deepening naval relationship, building on previous visits by HMS Spey to Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and complementing the training of two Cambodian naval cadets currently at the UK's elite Britannia Royal Navy College in Dartmouth. I am grateful to the Royal Government for welcoming HMS Tamar and look forward to Cambodia-UK defence relations continuing to grow in the years ahead."

This visit is the Royal Navy's third to Cambodia since 2023, building on port visits by HMS Spey to Sihanoukville in 2023 and 2024, which included joint training and professional exchanges with the Royal Cambodian Navy.

Together, these visits demonstrate the steady expansion of UK-Cambodia defence cooperation and the Royal Navy's enduring commitment to regional engagement.

Commander Tom Lindsey, Commanding Officer of HMS Tamar said, "Tamar's visit to Cambodia is a great honour for me and my sailors. Our visit to this beautiful country, the third such visit by the Royal Navy since 2023, is an important sign of our growing partnership as together we build cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia. We particularly look forward to working alongside our partners in the Royal Cambodian Navy, training together our medical and seamanship skills."

During the visit, HMS Tamar and her ship's company will undertake defence diplomacy activities, professional exchanges and community outreach programmes with Cambodian counterparts.

Royal Navy and Royal Cambodian Navy personnel will participate in joint training on medical response, casualty care, damage control and other practical maritime skills, providing valuable opportunities for shared learning, professional development and enhanced interoperability between the two services.

The Ship's Commanding Officer, Commander Tom Lindsey Royal Navy, accompanied by the British Defence Attaché and regional defence team, will conduct courtesy calls with the Commander of Ream Naval Base, The Governor of Sihanoukville Province and the Autonomous Port of Sihanoukville, reaffirming the importance of defence dialogue, mutual understanding and practical cooperation between the United Kingdom and Cambodia.

These engagements will provide opportunities to discuss regional maritime issues, strengthen professional relationships and identify areas for future collaboration.

As part of the visit, HMS Tamar will host an evening reception attended by government officials, military representatives, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and provincial stakeholders.

The reception will celebrate the strong and growing relationship between the United Kingdom and Cambodia, while highlighting defence cooperation, regional engagement and the broad range of shared interests connecting the two countries.
=FRESH NEWS