Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

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

Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Laotian Air Force roundel
Founded1976 (1976)
CountryLaos
BranchLao People's Army
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size43 aircraft
HQVientiane
Insignia
Fin flash

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. 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
A retired Antonov An-2 on display
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Xian MA600 China transport 2[5]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-17 Soviet Union utility / transport 17[5]
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1H 4[5]
Harbin Z-9 China utility 4[5]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia utility Ka-32 2[5]
Trainer Aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 4 6 on order[5]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2010-12-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  3. armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
  4. "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  5. "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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