Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

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Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Emblem of Lao People's Army.svg
Emblem of Lao People's Armed Forces
Founded1975; 46 years ago (1975)
Country Laos
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size43 aircraft
Part ofLao People's Armed Forces
HeadquartersVientiane
Commanders
Chief of Air ForceColonel Khamlek Sengphachanh[1]
Insignia
RoundelRoundel of Laos.svg
Fin flashFin Flash of Laos.svg
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMil Mi-17, Kamov Ka-32, Bell UH-1H, Harbin Z-9
TrainerYakovlev Yak-130
TransportXian MA600

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

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]

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'.[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
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Antonov An-26 Soviet Union transport 1[6]
Xian MA600 China transport 1[7]
Helicopters
Mil Mi-17 Soviet Union utility / transport Mi-17/172 17[7]
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1H 4[7]
Harbin Z-9 China utility 4[7]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia utility Ka-32 2[7]
Trainer Aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 4 6 on order[7]

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.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. ^ "Kho vũ khí cơ bản của Quân đội Nhân dân Lào có gì đặc biệt? • Tạp chí Lào - Việt". 19 November 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
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