THE US formally handed over excess military equipment worth about US$6.5 million, including thousands of Kevlar helmets, field packs and camouflage uniforms, among other items, a statement from the US Embassy announced on Friday.

The equipment exchange, held during a ceremony at the Ministry of Defence, was conducted through the US Foreign Military Exchange programme, the statement said.

Sum Samnang, general director of the Defence Ministry's finance and logistics department, praised the mutual cooperation between the two countries. "Even though it is small assistance, it is good for us, and they are filling a shortage," he said.

In a separate statement on Friday, the US Embassy announced a bilateral agreement that will see a $31.6 million donation "to support Cambodian priorities in health and education", the statement said.