Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Founded 1976 (1976)
Country Laos
Branch Lao People's Army
Type Air force
Role Aerial warfare
Size 43 aircraft
HQ Vientiane
Insignia
Ensign
Roundel
Fin Flash
An MI-8 of the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
An AN-2 of the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

The Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) is the air force of Laos.[1]

History

The present-day LPLAAF is descended from the Aviation Laotienne, which was established by the French and later became the Royal Lao Air Force. Pathet Lao guerrilla forces began to operate a few aircraft from 1960, as did another rebel group led by Kong Le. Kong Le forces were later re-incorporated into the Royal Lao Air Force. When the communist take-over in, 1975, resulted in the adoption of the present title.[2]

Military co-operation agreement with Russia in 1997 resulted in 12 Mil Mi-17(second handed)helicopters that entered service in mid-1999 to follow on from previous deliveries of Mi-8s. SAM systems also entered service such as the SA-3 'Goa'.[3]

Bases

The LPLAAF operates from two main bases - Vientiane and Phonsavanh - with another three bases supported by detachments from the main units. Apart from the main military air bases, there are also a number of smaller airports and airfields around the country which are frequently used by the Air Force and the semi-military airline Lao Airlines. In 1961 Laos had 25 airstrips capable of taking a C-47.[4]

Aircraft

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Antonov An-26  Soviet Union transport 1[5]
Antonov An-74 An-74TK-100 1[6]
Xian MA60  China 2[5]
Helicopters
Harbin Z-9  China utility 3[5]
Mil Mi-17  Soviet Union utility / transport 11[6]
Mil Mi-26 heavy lift 1[5]
Kamov Ka-27 utility Ka-32 2[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  2. ↑ "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  3. ↑ armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
  4. ↑ "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "World Air Forces 2016 pg. 22". Flightglobal Insight. 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Military Database - Scramble". www.scramble.nl.
  • "OrBat Laos - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications". milaviapress.com. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
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