Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force

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

Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
Emblem of Lao People's Armed Forces
Founded1975 (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
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMil Mi-17, Kamov Ka-32, Bell UH-1H, Harbin Z-9
TrainerYakovlev Yak-130
TransportXian MA600

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]
Xian MA60 China transport 2[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 Soviet Union 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.{{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. "Kho vũ khí cơ bản của Quân đội Nhân dân Lào có gì đặc biệt? • Tạp chí Lào - Việt". 19 November 2019.
  7. "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
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