Lao People's Armed Forces

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national military

The Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF; Template:Langx) or the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the armed forces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the institution of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who are charged with protecting the country.

Active forces

The army of 29,100 is equipped with 30 main battle tanks. The army marine section, equipped with 16 patrol craft, has 600 personnel. The air force, with 3,500 personnel, is equipped with anti-aircraft missiles and 24 combat aircraft (no longer in service).

Militia self-defence forces number approximately 100,000 organised for local defence. The small arms utilised mostly by the Laotian Army are the Soviet AKM assault rifle, PKM machine gun, Makarov PM pistol, and the RPD light machine gun.

Organization

The LPAF is divided into four military regions, with its headquarters in Vientiane

The LPRP statute states that its political leadership over the military emanates from the LPRP Central Committee's Defence and Public Security Commission (DPSC) and is the highest decision-making institution regarding military and security affairs.[1]

History

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Until 1975, the Royal Lao Armed Forces were the armed forces of the Kingdom of Laos.

File:09.05.2025 - Cerimônia de celebração dos 80 anos do Dia da Vitóriana Segunda Guerra Mundial (54507325941).jpg
Lao People's Armed Forces on Red Square in Moscow during the Victory Day parade on 9 May 2025

Serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced. Its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in internal suppression of Laotian dissident and opposition groups.[2]

This includes the suppression of the 1999 Lao Students Movement of Democracy demonstrations in Vientiane, and in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups and other groups of Laotian and Hmong people opposing the one-party Marxist–Leninist LPRP government and the support it receives from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.[2]

Together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies faced by the government in Vientiane. The LPA also has reportedly upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks. At present, there is no major perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains very strong ties with the neighbouring Vietnamese military (2008).[2]

According to some journalists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), humanitarian and human rights organisations, the Lao People's Army has repeatedly engaged in egregious human rights violations and the practice of corruption in Laos.[3][4] The LPAF and its military intelligence play a major role in the arrest, imprisonment and torture of foreign prisoners in Vientiane's notorious Phonthong Prison and the communist Lao gulag system where Australians Kerry and Kay Danes were imprisoned and where civic activist Sombath Somphone may be imprisoned following his arrest in December 2012.[5]

In 2013, attacks by the Lao People's Army against the Hmong people intensified, with soldiers killing four unarmed Hmong school teachers in addition to engaging in other human rights abuses according to the Lao Human Rights Council, the Centre for Public Policy Analysis and others.[6]

Equipment

Tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks

Photo Model Type Origin Quantity Notes
Tanks
File:OpenWater2017qualifying-27.jpg T-72B1MS Main battle tank Template:Country data Russia ~50[7]
File:T-55 4.jpg T-55 Main battle tank Template:Country data Soviet Union
Template:Country data Hungarian People's Republic 		85[8]
File:Verkhnyaya Pyshma Tank Museum 2012 0181.jpg PT-76 Light tank Template:Country data Soviet Union 25[9] 30 were in service in 1996.[10] Currently 25 are in service.
APC/IFV
File:BTR-60PB NVA.JPG BTR-60PB Armored personnel carrier Template:Country data Soviet Union 70[11] Currently 70 are in service. BTR-60s have been seen in service as recently as January 2019
File:BTR 152 Yerevan.JPG BTR-152 Armored personnel carrier Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown [12]
File:BTR-40 type at Kubinka.jpg BTR-40 Armored personnel carrier Template:Country data Soviet Union 10[13]
File:Interpolitex 2010 (333-54).jpg BRDM-2M Armoured car Template:Country data Soviet Union Template:Country data Russia 20[14] Upgraded BRDM-2M supplied by Russia in late 2018. At least 10 in service.
Light armoured vehicle/Light assault vehicle
Dima DMT5070XFB Armored personnel carrier Template:Country data China Unknown
Chinese Tiger 4x4 Infantry mobility vehicle Template:Country data China Unknown
CS/VN3 4x4 Infantry mobility vehicle Template:Country data China Unknown
Truck/Utility
File:Iraqi KrAZ trucks.jpg KrAZ-6322 Truck Template:Country data Ukraine Unknown
File:Ural-4320 - ETIF-2010 (1).jpg Ural-4320 Medium truck Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
File:Interpolitex2016part2-11.jpg GAZ-3308 Medium truck Template:Country data Russia Unknown
FAW Jiefang 141 Medium truck Template:Country data China Unknown
File:Ural-43206 transport truck.jpg Ural-43206 Light truck Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-22.jpg GAZ-66 Platform truck Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
BAIC 4x4 vehicles Military light utility vehicle Template:Country data China Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-12.jpg UAZ-469 Military light utility vehicle Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
File:Beijing BJ2022LC Warrior.jpg BJ2022JC Military light utility vehicle Template:Country data China Unknown
File:PTS-M VS4.JPG PTS Tracked amphibious transport Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
Shaanxi SX2190 Launched bridge Template:Country data China Unknown
Shaanxi SX2190 Floating bridge Template:Country data China Unknown
Engineering and support vehicles
XCMG backhoe loader Engineering vehicle Template:Country data China Unknown
XCMG excavator Engineering vehicle Unknown
XCMG wheel loader Engineering vehicle Unknown
XCMG XJY240WQ Engineering vehicle Unknown
XCMG XJY240Z Engineering vehicle Unknown

Artillery

Photo Model Type Origin Quantity Notes
Dongfeng CS/SS4 Self propelled mortar system Template:Country data China 14Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
SR-5 Multiple rocket launcher Template:Country data China 12
File:BM-21 Grad (02).jpg BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launcher Template:Country data Soviet Union 32
File:Реактивная система залпового огня БМ-14.jpg BM-14 Multiple rocket launcher 20
File:2S3 Akatsiya 3260.jpg 2S3 Akatsiya 152mm self-propelled howitzer Unknown
122-HL-70 122mm self-propelled howitzer Template:Country data Laos 18
File:PCL-09.png PCL-09 122mm self-propelled howitzer Template:Country data China 12
File:M30 howitzer nn 1.jpg M-30 122 mm howitzer Towed howitzers and guns Template:Country data Soviet Union 15[15]
File:122- мм гаубица Д-30 (1).jpg 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 20[15]
File:Nahariya-M-46-130mm-gun-499.jpg 130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)[15]
File:155HowRightRear.jpg M114 155 mm howitzer[15] Template:Country data United States 12[15]
File:M101-105mm-howitzer-camp-pendleton-20050326.jpg M101 howitzer 105mm (towed): M-101[15] 20[15]
File:US Army 51100 Gerety takes over "Wildcat" lair during ceremony.jpg M116 howitzer[15] 75mm (towed): M-116 pack 10

[16][17]

Air defence

Photo Model Type Origin Quantity Notes
File:SA-3 EP 2006.JPG S-125 Neva/Pechora Short-range SAM system Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
File:9A35 combat vehicle 9K35 Strela-10 - TankBiathlon14part2-37.jpg 9K35 Strela-10 Vehicle-mounted SAM system Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
Yitian anti air system Surface-to-air missile Template:Country data China Unknown
File:ZSU-23-4 Shilka -02.jpg ZSU-23-4 Shilka Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown
File:SA-7.jpg Strela-2 Surface-to-air missile Template:Country data Soviet Union Unknown Received 100 launchers from Soviet Union in the 80s[18]
File:M1939-37mm-hatzerim-1.jpg 37 mm automatic air defence gun M1939 (61-K) Air defence gun Unknown
File:S-60-57mm-hatzerim-1.jpg 57 mm AZP S-60 Automatic anti-aircraft gun Unknown
File:14,5-мм счетверенная зенитная пулеметная установка конструкции Лещинского ЗПУ-4 (1).jpg ZPU Auto anti-aircraft gun Unknown
File:ZU-23-2 in Saint Petersburg.jpg ZU-23-2 Anti-aircraft gun Unknown

[15]

Weapons

Photo Model Type Caliber Origin Notes
File:TT33.JPG TT-33 Semi-automatic pistol 7.62×25mm Tokarev Template:Country data Soviet Union Standard service pistols for Laotian Armed Forces.
File:Пистолет Макарова.png PM[19] Semi-automatic pistol 9×18mm Makarov Template:Country data Soviet Union
File:G2-COMBAT.jpg G2 Semi-automatic pistol 9x19mm Parabellum Script error: No such module "flag". [20]
File:QCW05 - 5.8mm submachine gun 20170919.jpg JS 9 mm Bullpup Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Template:Country data China [21]
File:M1200 Shotgun (7414627784).jpg Winchester Model 1200 Pump shotgun 12-gauge Template:US
File:Simonov-SKS-45.JPG Simonov SKS Semi-automatic rifle 7.62×39mm M43 Template:Country data Soviet Union Limited use, used for ceremonial purpose only.
File:Mosin-Nagant M1891 right side.png Mosin-Nagant Bolt-action rifle 7.62×54mmR Template:Country data Soviet Union Limited use, in storage.
File:9A-91.jpg 9A-91 Assault rifle, Carbine 9x39mm Template:Country data Russia Used by Laotian special forces.
File:AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg File:Tula AKM.jpg

AKM AKMS

Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Template:Country data Soviet Union Standard service rifles for Laotian Armed Forces, including police officer and Lao People's army.[19]
File:QBZ95 automatic rifle mod noBG.png QBZ-95 Bullpup Assault rifle 5.8×42mm DBP87
5.56×45mm NATO 		Template:Country data China Standard issue for Laotian Special Forces and Special Police Forces.
File:Type 56 (Iraq).jpg Type 56 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Template:Country data China
File:Canadian civilian version of Type 81 automatic rifle noBG.png Type 81 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Template:Country data China
File:Amd65.jpg AMD-65 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Template:Country data Hungarian People's Republic
File:Pindad-ss1 (cropped).jpg Pindad SS1 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Script error: No such module "flag". In 2014, Laos imported 35 SS1 V2s and SS1 V4s.[22]
File:SS2-V1 ID2008.jpg Pindad SS2 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Template:Country data Indonesia
File:Usarmy m16a2.jpg M16A2 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Template:US
File:Ace 32 close stock.jpg
File:Galil ACE 32.jpg
STV-380, an assault rifle made from Vietnam-based to Israeli's assault rifle.
 IWI ACE Assault rifle 7.62×39 mm Template:Country data Israel
Template:Country data Vietnam 		Laos received Vietnamese-made Galil ACEs in January 2019.
File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png RPD Light machine gun 7.62×39mm Template:Country data Soviet Union [19]
File:Machine gun 762 KK PKM 20180604.jpg PK machine gun General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR Template:Country data Soviet Union [19]
File:Machine Gun, M60.jpg M60 machine gun General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO Template:US
File:KPVrear.jpg KPV heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun 14.5×114mm Template:Country data Soviet Union
File:12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года (3-1).jpg DShK Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm Template:Country data Soviet Union
File:SVD Dragunov.jpg Dragunov SVD Designated marksman rifle, Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR Template:Country data Soviet Union [21]
File:Rpg-7.jpg RPG-7 Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm Template:Country data Soviet Union
File:RPG-2. (49193484607).jpg RPG-2 Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm Template:Country data Soviet Union

[16][17][23]

Mortars

Accidents

On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other top ranking officials.[25] The officials were to participate in a ceremony to mark the liberation of the Plain of Jars from the former Royal Lao government forces.[26] Their Russian-built Antonov AN 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province.[27]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Association of Southeast Asian Nations Armed Forces Template:Laos topics Template:Military of Asia Template:List of equipment of the Southeast Asian security forces

bn:লাওসের সামরিক বাহিনী

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cia.gov
  3. ↑ Amnesty International, (23 March 2007), "Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hiding in the jungle – Hmong under threat" Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, CPPA, Washington, D.C. (1 August 2013), http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org
  5. ↑ Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (19 March 2013) "Laos Officials Criticized for Obstructing Investigation" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1303/S00169/laos-officials-criticized-for-obstructing-investigation.htm (Archive)
  6. ↑ Businesswire, businesswire.com (4 March 2013) "Laos: Attacks Intensify Against Lao, Hmong People" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130304006755/en/Laos-Attacks-Intensify-Lao-Hmong-People (Archive)
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). Template:ISBN.
  24. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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