Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
 |
| Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Country | Laos |
| Branch | Lao People's Army |
| Type | Air Force |
| Size | 43 aircraft |
| HQ | Vientiane |
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. When the communist take-over in, 1975, resulted in the adoption of the present title.
Military co-operation agreement with Russia in 1997 resulted in 12 Mil Mi-17 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' and SA-7B 'Grail'.
Bases
The LPLAAF operates from two main bases - Vientiane and Phonsavanh - 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 taking a C-47.[1]
Aircraft inventory
As of 2010[update], the backbone of the PAF inventory consists of:
| Image | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-wing aircraft | ||||||
 |
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 |  Soviet Union |
fighter | MIG-21s | 25[2] | |
 |
Ilyushin Il-103 | Soviet Union |
Training aircraft | Il-103 | 3 | 21 ordered |
 |
Antonov An-2 | Soviet Union |
Utility Transport aircraft | An-2 | 10 [3] | |
 |
Antonov An-26 | Soviet Union |
Transport aircraft | An-26 | 1[4] | |
 |
Antonov An-74 | Soviet Union |
VIP Transport | An-74 | 1[5] | |
 |
Xian MA60 |  China |
Passerger aircraft | MA60 | 4[6] | |
| Helicopters | ||||||
 |
Kamov Ka-32 | Soviet Union |
Transport helicopter | Ka-32T | 6 | |
 |
Mil Mi-8 | Soviet Union |
transport helicopter | Mi-8 | 7 | |
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Mil Mi-17 |  Russia |
transport helicopter | Mi-17 | 9 | |
| Harbin Z-9 | China |
utility helicopter | Z-9 | 4 | ||
 |
Bell UH-1 Iroquois |  United States |
Combat Helicopter | UH-1H | 4 [7] | |
Google Earth imagery has shown seventeen MiG-21 Fishbed at Xieng Khouang airbase and three at Vientiane, although their condition is unknown.
References
- ^ Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
- ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2011-2012-90190.aspx
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/CurrentIssue/index.php?hCurrentIssue=3033&hContent=687
- ^ http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf
- ^ http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/laos/laos-af-aircraft.htm#colt
- ^ http://news.ifeng.com/mil/2/detail_2012_04/11/13804731_0.shtml
- ^ Flightglobal Insight | World Air Forces 2011/2012