Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
{{Short description|Air warfare branch of Laos' military}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
| native_name =
| image = 180px
| image_size =
| caption = Emblem of Lao People's Armed Forces
| start_date = {{start date and age|1975|df=yes}}
| country = {{flag|Laos}}
| allegiance =
| branch =
| type = Air force
| role = Aerial warfare
| size = 37 aircraft
| command_structure = Lao People's Armed Forces
| garrison = Vientiane
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto =
| colours =
| colours_label =
| march =
| mascot =
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| flying_hours =
| website =
| commander1 = Major General Khamlek Sengphachanh{{cite web|url=https://www.gnlm.com.mm/senior-general-meets-laotian-air-force-chief/|title=Senior General meets Laotian Air Force Chief|date=23 January 2020|accessdate=28 February 2021}}
| commander1_label = Chief of Air Force
| commander2 =
| commander2_label =
| commander3 =
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| commander4 =
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| identification_symbol = 80px
| identification_symbol_label = Roundel
| identification_symbol_2 = 80px
| identification_symbol_2_label = Fin flash
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_helicopter = Bell UH-1H, Harbin Z-9, Kamov Ka-32, Mil Mi-17
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer = Yakovlev Yak-130
| aircraft_transport = Xian MA600
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_general =
}}
The Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force (LPLAAF) is the air force of Laos.{{cite web |url=http://www.scramble.nl/la.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-12-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120093328/http://www.scramble.nl/la.htm |archive-date=2012-01-20 }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-home.htm|title=Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force|publisher=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118200807/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-home.htm|archive-date=18 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-home.htm |title=Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force |publisher=aeroflight.co.uk |access-date=15 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118200807/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-home.htm |archive-date=18 January 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Aircraft
=Current inventory=
File:Antonov An-2 Vientiane.jpg on display]]
| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
| colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | Transport |
|---|
| Xian MA600
| | |
| Antonov An-26
| | |
| colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | Helicopters |
| Mil Mi-17
| |
| Bell UH-1
| |
| Harbin Z-9
| | |
| Kamov Ka-27
| |
| colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | Trainer aircraft |
| Yakovlev Yak-130
| Russia | | 3 | 6 on order. 1 crashed in 2024.https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/449697 |
| Hongdu K-8
| China | | |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/laos/index.php|title=OrBat Laos - MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications|publisher=milaviapress.com|access-date=15 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021192357/http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/laos/index.php|archive-date=21 October 2017|url-status=dead}}
{{Association of SouthEast Asian Nations Armed Forces}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}