The Cambodian Armed Forces have officially revealed the integration of Chinese-made QW-3 Vanguard man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and the TH-S311 Smart Com-Smart Hunter command-and-control system into their arsenal during a military ceremony on May 4, 2025.
The event, held at the Guard Command Headquarters in Krang Chek, marked the conclusion of a specialized training course on the new systems. High-ranking officials, including Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, General Hing Bun Hieng, presided over the ceremony.
Photographs from the event showed both the QW-3 launchers and the supporting radar and control elements of the TH-S311 system.
The QW-3 system will enhance the country’s ability to counter low-flying aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. The TH-S311 system, operating as a command platform, provides real-time situational awareness and fire control, allowing for coordinated target acquisition and engagement.
The QW-3, developed by China, is part of the Vanguard 3 series and is comparable to other infrared-guided MANPADS used in regional militaries. The pairing of QW-3 missiles with the TH-S311 system allows for more robust layered defense coverage, especially in remote or mobile deployments.