Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force | |
---|---|
Founded | 1975 |
Country | Laos |
Type | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | 43 aircraft |
Part of | Lao People's Armed Forces |
Headquarters | Vientiane |
Commanders | |
Chief of Air Force | Colonel Khamlek Sengphachanh[1] |
Insignia | |
Roundel | |
Fin flash | |
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]
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[]
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[]
- ^ "Senior General meets Laotian Air Force Chief". 23 January 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2010-12-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
- ^ "Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force". aeroflight.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Kho vũ khí cơ bản của Quân đội Nhân dân Lào có gì đặc biệt? • Tạp chí Lào - Việt". 19 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "OrBat Laos - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications". milaviapress.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- Air forces by country
- Military of Laos
- Military units and formations established in 1976