Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

Last updated
Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Emblem of Lao People's Army.svg
Emblem of Lao People's Armed Forces
Founded1975;49 years ago (1975)
CountryFlag of Laos.svg  Laos
Type Air force
Role Aerial warfare
Size37 aircraft
Part of Lao People's Armed Forces
Headquarters Vientiane
Commanders
Chief of Air Force Major General Khamlek Sengphachanh [1]
Insignia
Roundel Roundel of Laos.svg
Fin flash Fin Flash of Laos.svg
Aircraft flown
Helicopter Mil Mi-17, Kamov Ka-32, Bell UH-1H, Harbin Z-9
Trainer Yakovlev Yak-130
Transport Xian MA600

The Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) is the air force of Laos. [2]

Contents

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. [3]

A military co-operation agreement with Russia in 1997 resulted in 12 Mil Mi-17 (second hand) helicopters entering service in mid-1999 to follow on from previous deliveries of Mi-8s. SAM systems also entered service such as the SA-3 'Goa'. [4]

Bases

The LPLAAF operates from two main bases, Vientiane and Phonsavan, 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 landing a C-47. [5]

Aircraft

Current inventory

A retired Antonov An-2 on display Antonov An-2 Vientiane.jpg
A retired Antonov An-2 on display
AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Transport
Xian MA600 China Transport 2 [6]
Antonov An-26 Soviet Union Transport1 [6]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-17 Soviet UnionTransport / Utility Mi-17/172 17 [6]
Bell UH-1 United States Utility UH-1H 4 [6]
Harbin Z-9 ChinaUtility4 [6]
Kamov Ka-27 Soviet UnionUtility Ka-32 2 [6]
Trainer aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia Advanced trainer 36 on order. [6] 1 crashed in 2024. [7]
Hongdu K-8 China Jet trainer 4 [8]

See also

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References

  1. "Senior General meets Laotian Air Force Chief". 23 January 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2010-12-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  4. armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
  5. "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "World Air Forces 2023" . Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  7. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/449697