Type 056 Corvette Huizhou (596) of the Chinese Navy. Photo: trey333 / Wikimedia Commons

China to Deliver Two Type 056C Corvettes to Cambodian Navy

Our Bureau - : Oct 6, 2025 - : 9:50 pm

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China is constructing two Type 056C corvettes for the Cambodian Navy. The first vessel has been fully assembled and successfully tested, while the second is approximately 50% complete. Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Vice Chairman of the Cambodian Royal Family, inspected the first ship in China on 20 September 2025 and provided a brief update on 3 October 2025 via his official Facebook page, confirming progress on both ships but without specifying a delivery date.

The vessels, with hull numbers 630 and 631, were built specifically for Cambodia at the request of its government. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Defence, the ships are intended to enhance the country’s maritime patrol capabilities, support search-and-rescue operations, and strengthen overall maritime security. Cambodian naval personnel have been undergoing training on similar vessels since December 2024 to ensure they are prepared to operate the corvettes once transferred.

The delivery of these Type 056C corvettes reflects growing military cooperation between Cambodia and China, which has intensified in recent years. The two countries conducted the 2024 Golden Dragon Exercise, involving both land and naval operations, signalling closer defence collaboration. Alongside the vessels, China has developed facilities at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, including a deep-draft pier capable of accommodating larger naval ships. Around 100 Chinese personnel have been working at the base to prepare it for transfer to Cambodian control, with the facilities expected to be handed over soon.

The Ream Naval Base expansion has attracted international attention, particularly from the United States, due to its potential strategic significance in the region. Analysts have suggested the agreement may include provisions allowing the Chinese navy some level of access to the new facilities. The transfer of the corvettes and accompanying base infrastructure marks a significant step in strengthening Cambodia’s naval capabilities while highlighting the increasingly close defence ties between Phnom Penh and Beijing.

Cambodian officials have indicated the ships could be completed and handed over in 2025, though delays remain possible. The ongoing training of Cambodian crews and finalisation of base facilities suggest the handover will occur once both operational readiness and logistical arrangements are in place.

Type-056-corvette / China / Royal-cambodian-navy /

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