(Sihanoukville): British Ambassador to Cambodia Dominic Williams has welcomed Cambodia’s diversified naval diplomacy, saying partnerships with a broad range of countries provide the Kingdom with greater strategic choice and room to pursue an independent and sovereign foreign policy amid rising global uncertainty.
Speaking to Fresh News during the visit of Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) to Cambodia, Ambassador Williams said that maintaining relationships with partners across the world is increasingly important as geopolitical tensions and strategic competition continue to evolve.
“If you've got partnerships with countries from across the world, that gives you strategic choice, room for maneuver and an ability to maintain your own independent, sovereign foreign policy,” he said.
The ambassador’s remarks came as HMS Tamar made a historic port call at Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville province on August 20, beginning an eight-day visit to Cambodia from August 20–27, 2026. It is the first Royal Navy vessel to call at Ream Naval Base and the third Royal Navy visit to Cambodia since 2023.
Led by Commander Tom Lindsey, HMS Tamar is a River-class offshore patrol vessel deployed in the Indo-Pacific. During its stay, the ship and its crew are taking part in defence diplomacy, professional exchanges, maritime training and community engagement with Cambodian counterparts. The programme includes joint training activities, first-aid and medical-response exercises, maritime skills exchanges and friendly sporting activities between British and Cambodian naval personnel. British naval representatives are also scheduled to meet senior Cambodian defence and provincial officials as part of the visit.
Ambassador Dominic described the visit as a “visible and tangible sign” of Britain’s commitment to strengthening defence and maritime cooperation with Cambodia, while also highlighting its broader significance for bilateral relations. He pointed to the growing depth of naval cooperation between the two countries, including the training of Cambodia’s first two naval cadets at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
Beyond military cooperation, the visit is also intended to strengthen people-to-people ties. Around 90 British sailors and personnel are engaging with Cambodian naval personnel, local communities and young people during the deployment, creating opportunities for professional exchange and cultural interaction.
The August 2026 visit also holds particular significance as it marks the first Royal Navy port call at Ream Naval Base since its reopening in April 2025. The visit demonstrates that Ream can serve as a platform for engagement with a range of international maritime partners, reinforcing Cambodia’s stated policy of maintaining an open and diversified approach to international defence cooperation.
For the UK, the deployment forms part of its wider engagement in the Indo-Pacific and reflects London’s interest in strengthening maritime partnerships, supporting regional security and maintaining a rules-based international order.
For Cambodia, the continued engagement with the Royal Navy adds another dimension to its naval diplomacy, following previous British naval visits in 2023 and 2024 and providing opportunities for Cambodian personnel to gain experience through professional exchanges and joint training.
The ambassador said the growing relationship demonstrates that defence cooperation can go hand in hand with broader diplomatic, educational and people-to-people ties, describing HMS Tamar’s visit as a tangible expression of the UK’s long-term commitment to its relationship with Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS
