The Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) () is the air force of Laos.
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.
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'.armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
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.
Wattay International Airport Long Tieng Pakse International Airport Xieng Khouang Airport
Aircraft Current inventory
AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes Transport Xian MA600 China Transport 1 Antonov An-26 Soviet Union Transport 1 Helicopters Mil Mi-17 Soviet Union Transport / Utility Mi-17/172 17 Harbin Z-9 China Utility 4 Kamov Ka-27 Soviet Union Utility Ka-32 2 Trainer / Light attack Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia Advanced trainer / Light attack 3 6 on order. 1 crashed in 2024. Hongdu K-8 China Jet trainer / Light attack 4
See also Royal Lao Air Force Laotian Civil War
References