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 | |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Country |  Laos |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 37 aircraft |
| Part of | Lao People's Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Vientiane |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Air Force | Major General 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 |
History
editThe 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
editThe 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
editCurrent inventory
edit
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | |||||
| Xian MA600 | China | transport | 2[6] | ||
| Antonov An-26 | Soviet Union | transport | 1[6] | ||
| Helicopters | |||||
| Mil Mi-17 | Soviet Union | utility / transport | Mi-17/172 | 17[6] | |
| Bell UH-1 | United States | utility | UH-1H | 4[6] | |
| Harbin Z-9 | China | utility | 4[6] | ||
| Kamov Ka-27 | Soviet Union | utility | Ka-32 | 2[6] | |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| Yakovlev Yak-130 | Russia | advanced trainer | 3 | 6 on order.[6] 1 crashed in 2024.[7] | |
| Hongdu K-8 | China | jet trainer | 4[8] | ||
References
edit- ^ "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.
{{cite web}}: 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
- ^ https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/449697
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
World Air Forces 2024was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
- "OrBat Laos - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications". milaviapress.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2016.