Kampuchea Revolutionary Army

The Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (Khmer: កងទ័ពរំដោះកម្ពុជា, RAK) was the official name of the armed forces of Democratic Kampuchea, the state ruled by the Khmer Rouge.

Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea
កងទ័ពរំដោះកម្ពុជា
Flag of Democratic Kampuchea
Founded	1977
Disbanded	1979
Service branches	Army Navy Air Force
Headquarters	Phnom Penh
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	Pol Pot
Minister of National Defense	Son Sen
Personnel
Conscription	Yes
Active personnel	140,000
Reserve personnel	80,000
Industry
Foreign suppliers	China  North Vietnam (until 1976)

History

Formation

The name "Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea" first emerged during the peasant uprising in Samlot District, Battambang Province, in 1967. In practice, it was a general term for the independent armed groups of the Khmer Rouge, which were primarily divided into three factions:

• The Northeastern Group, led by Pol Pot, was based in Cambodia's northeastern highlands among ethnic minorities.
• The Southwestern Group, led by Hu Nim, operated in southern and southwestern Cambodia, in the Cardamom and Elephant Mountain ranges.
• The Eastern Group, led by So Phim, was based in the densely populated eastern provinces between the Mekong River and the Vietnamese border.

In the years that followed, widespread dissatisfaction with the Sihanouk regime drove many Cambodians to flee government repression and join Khmer Rouge armed groups, leading to a rapid increase in the Revolutionary Army of Cambodia's ranks.

Alliance with Sihanouk

The situation shifted in favour of the Khmer Rouge after the March 18, 1970 coup, in which Prime Minister Lon Nol, backed by the United States, ousted Head of State Norodom Sihanouk while he was abroad. In response, Sihanouk announced the formation of the National United Front of Kampuchea (FUNK) and the Royal Government of National Union of Kampuchea (GRUNK), aligning himself with all forces opposed to Lon Nol, the strongest among them being the Khmer Rouge.

As a result, the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea was reorganized into the Cambodian People's National Liberation Armed Forces (CPNLAF),^[1][2] absorbing armed groups loyal to Sihanouk. Sihanouk's influence in rural Cambodia allowed the Khmer Rouge to expand their power significantly. By 1973, they effectively controlled most of Cambodia's territory, though only a small portion of its population. Many Cambodians who supported the Khmer Rouge did so under the belief that they were fighting for Sihanouk's return.

It was the CPNLAF that ultimately captured Phnom Penh and overthrew the Khmer Republic in April 1975, establishing complete Khmer Rouge rule over Cambodia.

Purges and conflict with Vietnam

Even before taking full power, the Khmer Rouge had begun purging the CPNLAF of Sihanouk's influence. From 1972 onward, after Richard Nixon's visit to China, Pol Pot's faction received increased backing from Beijing and gradually consolidated absolute control over the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK).

Once they secured power, the Khmer Rouge immediately executed former officers of the Khmer National Armed Forces and their families, without trials or publicity, to eliminate potential enemies. Additionally, they conducted large-scale internal purges, not only removing remnants of Sihanouk's supporters but also eradicating any suspected dissent to centralise power further.

The CPNLAF was restructured again into a formal national military force. Around 1976, it reverted to the name Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea, now as the unified national military of Democratic Kampuchea. Its air force was established in 1977.

From as early as 1975, the Khmer Rouge launched cross-border attacks into Vietnam, burning villages, looting, and massacring civilians. Vietnam initially responded with restraint, limiting its actions to defensive counterattacks. However, as Pol Pot prepared for a full-scale war against Vietnam, he initiated another purge, executing numerous Khmer Rouge officials suspected of Vietnamese ties. Only a few, such as Heng Samrin and Hun Sen, managed to escape to Vietnam.

Swift war and defeat

The war against Vietnam proved disastrous for the Khmer Rouge. Since the early 1970s, Vietnamese leaders had anticipated Khmer Rouge hostilities and took precautionary measures. From 1975 to 1978, Vietnam pursued a dual strategy: responding with restraint while simultaneously preparing for an inevitable war in the southwest.

By late 1978, Vietnam had established the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation (FUNSK), composed of former Khmer Rouge officials, soldiers, and Cambodian exiles. Under the banner of FUNSK, Vietnam formed a Volunteer Army to liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge genocide.

In just two weeks, Vietnamese forces obliterated the Khmer Rouge's main military divisions, captured Phnom Penh, and established the People's Republic of Kampuchea.

U.S. and Chinese alliance

Under the overwhelming assault of Vietnamese forces, the Khmer Rouge quickly disintegrated. Most of its remaining forces retreated to the Thai-Cambodian border, where they established long-term bases and maintained control over border areas for the next decade. Small remnants continued to engage in guerrilla warfare. By late 1979, the Khmer Rouge reorganized its armed groups into the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea, built from what remained of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea.

Despite this, the weaknesses of the People's Republic of Kampuchea (PRK) led to its complete dependence on Vietnam—a country that had just emerged from two major wars, was now engaged in two border conflicts, and was struggling with a devastated economy.

Vietnam's intervention to destroy the Khmer Rouge triggered strong reactions from its adversaries. China, the United States, and ASEAN nations backed the formation of a Cambodian government-in-exile and the military alliance known as the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK), which included the Khmer Rouge, the Khmer People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF), and the royalist ANS (Armee Nationale Sihanoukiste). However, the Khmer Rouge remained the dominant military force within this three-party coalition, playing the leading role in prolonging the conflict against the Vietnam-backed Phnom Penh government for a decade.

During this period, the Khmer Rouge continued to receive foreign support from China, the United States, Thailand, and other countries hostile to Vietnam. However, this support was only enough to sustain its resistance—it was unable to regain its former strength. At its peak, the Khmer Rouge controlled around 20% of Cambodia's territory but only 5% of the population, compared to the Vietnam-backed Phnom Penh government.

Collapse

With Vietnam's full support, the People's Republic of Kampuchea gradually consolidated its control over the country. It also actively pursued diplomatic measures to isolate the Khmer Rouge, including reconciliation with other Cambodian exile factions.

In 1989, Vietnam withdrew its troops from Cambodia after securing the Phnom Penh government's stability and military strength. Peace negotiations led to the establishment of a coalition government for a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party system and democratic freedoms.

As the Khmer Rouge refused to compromise, it became increasingly isolated. Although it continued military operations, boycotted elections, and rejected the results, it now faced opposition from Cambodia's new coalition government. This government included not only former Vietnamese-backed communists, led by Hun Sen, but also ex-Khmer Rouge allies, including non-communist and royalist factions such as Prince Norodom Ranariddh's forces.

Deprived of food supplies, trade goods, and international aid, the Khmer Rouge was forced into self-sufficiency. It had to abandon refugee camps, where international humanitarian aid had previously provided medicine and food. Public morale within Khmer Rouge-controlled areas collapsed.

After Pol Pot's death in April 1998, the Khmer Rouge became a spent force, barely surviving. By late 1999, its last remaining commanders and soldiers surrendered to the Cambodian government, marking the final end of the Khmer Rouge.

Genocide

For broader coverage of this topic, see Cambodian genocide.

Organization

Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea

The Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea was the official name of the army of Democratic Kampuchea^[3][4] during the period of 1975 to 1979, mainly consisting of Khmer Rouge operatives. In 1979 during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War it was reformed into the National Army of Democratic Kampuchea to continue to fight against the People's Army of Vietnam and the new Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Revolutionary Navy of Kampuchea

The Revolutionary Navy of Kampuchea (Khmer: កងទ័ពជើងទឹករំដោះកម្ពុជា, LNK) under the new Khmer Rouge regime had a backbone force of 17 American-made Swift class patrol boats (seven of which were sunk in May 1975 by U.S. air attack during the Mayaguez incident). Additionally the Navy also possessed 2 submarine chasers E311 and E312 (PC-461-class), 3 LCUs and 1 LCM and a number of small river boats.

Air Force of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea

The Air Force of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (Khmer: កងទ័ពអាកាសនៃកងទ័ពរំដោះកម្ពុជា, AFLAK) was mainly defunct for the time that Democratic Kampuchea existed. Many aircraft were captured from Khmer Air Force including many western types. During the Mayaguez incident 5 T-28 Trojan aircraft were destroyed. All aircraft were destroyed or captured in 1979 during the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia.

Equipment

Infantry weapons

Name	Origin	Notes
Semi-automatic pistols
TT pistol[5]	Soviet Union	Supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
Makarov pistol[5]
Type 54 pistol[5]	China	Supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
Semi-automatic rifles
SKS[5]	Soviet Union	Captured from FANK and supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
Type 56[5]	China	Captured from FANK and supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
Assault Rifles
AK-47[5]	Soviet Union	Captured from FANK and supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
Type 56 assault rifle[5]	China	Supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
M-16 rifle[5]	United States	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Light machine guns
RPD[5]	Soviet Union	Captured from FANK and supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
Type 56 LMG[5]	China	Supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
Heavy machine guns
DShK[5]	Soviet Union	Supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
Type 54[5]	China	Supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
M1919 Browning[5]	United States	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
M2 Browning[5]
General-purpose machine guns
PKM[5]	Soviet Union	Supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
M60 machine gun[5]	United States	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Rocket-propelled grenades
RPG-2[5]	Soviet Union	Captured from FANK and supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
RPG-7[5]

Armored Fighting Vehicles

Name	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Light tanks
Type 62	China	20[6]	Supplied by China during and after the Cambodian Civil War.
Type 63		~10[6]
Armored personnel carriers
M113	United States	~200[6]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.

Artillery

Name	Origin	Caliber	Quantity	Notes
Mortars
M29	United States	81mm	Unknown	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Recoilless rifles
M20	United States	75mm	Unknown	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
M40		105mm
Anti-tank guns
ZiS-3	Soviet Union	76mm	~10[6]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Howitzers
M46	Soviet Union	130mm	~30[6]	Supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
M-30		122mm	~10[6]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
M101	United States	105mm	~20[6]
M114		155mm	~10[6]
Multiple rocket launchers
BM-13	Soviet Union	132mm	~10[6]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.

Air defense

Name	Origin	Caliber	Quantity	Notes
Anti-aircraft guns
ZPU	Soviet Union	14.5mm	Unknown	Captured from FANK and supplied by North Vietnam during the Cambodian Civil War.
61-K		37mm	~30[6]
S-60		57mm	~10[6]

Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Fighter aircraft
Shenyang J-6C	China	6[7]	Supplied by China in 1977.
Trainer aircraft
GY-80 Horizon	France	4[7]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog	United States	10[7]
Attack aircraft
Helio AU-24A Stallion	United States	9[7]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
T-28D Trojan		22[7]	5 destroyed during the Mayagüez Incident.
Cessna A-37B Dragonfly		10[7]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Transports
Fairchild C-123K Provider	United States	7[7]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.
Douglas C-47		14[7]
Douglas AC-47 Spooky		6[7]
Bombers
Harbin H-5	China	3[7]	Supplied by China in 1977.
Utility helicopters
Bell UH-1H/1G	United States	20[7]	Captured from FANK during the Cambodian Civil War.

Ships

Ship	Origin	Hull number	Quantity	Fate
Patrol boats
Higgins 78ft	Yugoslavia	Unknown	2[6]	Sunk during the Mayagüez incident.[8]
Patrol Boat, River	United States		40[8][9]	A few have been sunk during the Battle of Ream.[8]
Patrol Craft Fast			17[9]	A few have been sunk during the Mayagüez incident and skirmishes between Thailand and Vietnam.[8]
PC-461-class		E311[10] - E312[11]	2	E311 fled to Thailand.[10] E312 fled to the Philippines.[11]
Landing craft
LCM-8	United States	Unknown	1	Sunk during skirmishes between Thailand and Vietnam.[8]
LCU 1466			1[8]
LCT-6			2[8]
LSM			Unknown	Unknown. Used in raid Phu Quoc and Tho Chu.

References

1. Zal Karkaria. "Failure Through Neglect: The Women's Policies of the Khmer Rouge in Comparative Perspective" (PDF). Concordia University Department of History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
2. Arnold R. Isaacs. "Without Honor: Defeat in Vietnam and Cambodia". Google Books. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
3. Nuon, Chea (17 January 1978). "cambodiatokampuchea" (PDF).
4. Pol, Pot (1 July 1978). "bannedthought" (PDF).
5. Ross, Russell, ed. (1987). Cambodia, a Country Study. Area Handbook Series (Third ed.). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, American University. pp. 279–313. ISBN 978-0160208386.
6. "SIPRI Trade Registers". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
7. "Air Force of the Kampuchea Liberation Army". www.aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
8. "Kampuchean (Cambodian) Naval Battles - Soviet-Empire.com U.S.S.R." www.soviet-empire.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
9. "Fighting Ships - Cambodia swift boats". www.swiftboats.net. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
10. "PC-1086". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
11. "PC-1171". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 2021-05-22.