(Sihanoukville): British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) is making an eight-day visit to Cambodia, marking a new milestone in growing defence cooperation between the United Kingdom and Cambodia.
In an exclusive interview with Fresh News, Commander Tom Lindsey, Commanding Officer of HMS Tamar, said the visit demonstrates the UK’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Cambodia and expanding practical defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
“The main purpose of our visit to Cambodia is to demonstrate the UK’s partnership with Cambodia and also the burgeoning defence relationship between our two countries,” Commander Lindsey said.
HMS Tamar arrived on August 20, 2026, making the first Royal Navy port call at Ream Naval Base since its reopening in April 2025. It is also the Royal Navy’s third visit to Cambodia since 2023, following HMS Spey’s visits in 2023 and 2024.
Commander Lindsey highlighted shared interests in maritime security, trade and regional cooperation, noting that both countries rely on secure sea routes and open access to ports to support economic prosperity.
He also welcomed Cambodia’s engagement with international partners, saying the UK supports a free and open Indo-Pacific and sees Cambodia as an important partner in Southeast Asia.
During the visit, HMS Tamar’s crew will conduct professional exchanges and joint training with the Royal Cambodian Navy, including medical response, casualty care and damage-control skills, while engaging with local communities and experiencing Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams said the visit reflects deepening naval ties between the two countries and builds on previous HMS Spey deployments, as well as the training of Cambodian naval cadets at the UK’s Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
HMS Tamar, a River-class Offshore Patrol Vessel deployed to the Indo-Pacific since 2021, conducts maritime security, fisheries protection, humanitarian assistance and regional engagement missions.
“We’re really looking forward to a chance to get to meet more people and see more of this beautiful country,” Commander Lindsey said.
=FRESH NEWS
