The Cambodian military has a long history dating back to the Funan Kingdom of the 1st century AD, when the first monarchs first ruled Khmer territory. Since then, the military has evolved according to the needs of each era.

Under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodia gained full independence on November 9, 1953, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces was fully established with the General Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Army), the Royal Cambodian Air Force and the Royal Navy.

After the 1970 coup, Cambodia plunged into a political crisis and a civil war erupted, ultimately leading to the Pol Pot regime taking power on of April 17, 1975. His Khmer Rouge era devastated society, the economy, and human rights, while the structure of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces was completely destroyed.

Although the Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown on January 7, 1979, the civil war continued and dragged on until the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991, followed by the 1993 general election organized by UNTAC. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces were then reorganized following former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Win-Win Policy, which allowed Khmer Rouge defectors to join the government and society without major consequence.

On January 24, 1999, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces General Command was established to adapt Cambodia's domestic and foreign policy into the regional and global community, especially as a member of ASEAN.

General Meas Sophea was appointed by the King as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Army, while Lt. Gen. Chea Saran was appointed as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, along with a number of Army Commanders.

On September 6, 2018, Hun Manet appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Army Command by royal decree. The future prime minister launched a 20-year plan to reform and build up the Army for 2018-2038. The plan had five main priorities including: strengthening the national defense comparison plan; adjusting the standing force along the borders and building infrastructure to support the border troops; constructing housing and shelters for border guards and military divisions; improving training programs for young military officers in multiple skill sets; and modernizing military equipment and weapons in stages.