Lao People's Armed Forces

From Wikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:EngvarB Template:Infobox national military

The Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is the armed forces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the institution of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Organization

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. The DPSC is chaired by the LPRP General Secretary, making the officeholder the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.[1]

History

Main article: Military history 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

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.[2][3] The LPAF and its military intelligence play a role in the arrest, imprisonment and torture of foreign prisoners in Vientiane's 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.[4]

On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other officials.[5] The officials were to participate in a ceremony to mark the liberation of the Plain of Jars from the former Royal Lao government forces.[6] Their Russian-built Antonov AN 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province.[7]

Organisation

The LPAF has three known service branches: Lao People's Army (includes Riverine Force), Lao People's Air Force and Self-Defense Militia Forces.[8] The LPA headquarters in Vientiane divided the country into four military regions with at least five infantry divisions, numbered 1 to 5; 17 provincial military commands and Vientiane Captital Military Command.[9]

Equipment

Tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks

Photo Model Type Origin Quantity Notes
Tanks
File:OpenWater2017qualifying-27.jpg T-72B1MS Main battle tank File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia ~50[10]
File:T-55 4.jpg T-55 Main battle tank File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
Template:Country data Hungarian People's Republic 		85[11]
File:Verkhnyaya Pyshma Tank Museum 2012 0181.jpg PT-76 Light tank File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 25[12] 30 were in service in 1996.[13] Currently 25 are in service.
APC/IFV
File:BTR-60PB NVA.JPG BTR-60PB Armored personnel carrier File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 70[14] 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 File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown [15]
File:BTR-40 type at Kubinka.jpg BTR-40 Armored personnel carrier File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 10[16]
File:Interpolitex 2010 (333-54).jpg BRDM-2M Armoured car File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia 20[17] 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 File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
Chinese Tiger 4x4 Infantry mobility vehicle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
CS/VN3 4x4 Infantry mobility vehicle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
Truck/Utility
File:Iraqi KrAZ trucks.jpg KrAZ-6322 Truck File:Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine Unknown
File:Ural-4320 - ETIF-2010 (1).jpg Ural-4320 Medium truck File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
File:Interpolitex2016part2-11.jpg GAZ-3308 Medium truck File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia Unknown
FAW Jiefang 141 Medium truck File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
File:Ural-43206 transport truck.jpg Ural-43206 Light truck File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-22.jpg GAZ-66 Platform truck File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
BAIC 4x4 vehicles Military light utility vehicle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-12.jpg UAZ-469 Military light utility vehicle File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
File:Beijing BJ2022LC Warrior.jpg BJ2022JC Military light utility vehicle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
File:PTS-M VS4.JPG PTS Tracked amphibious transport File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
Shaanxi SX2190 Launched bridge File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
Shaanxi SX2190 Floating bridge File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
Engineering and support vehicles
XCMG backhoe loader Engineering vehicle File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 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 File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 14[citation needed]
SR-5 Multiple rocket launcher File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 12
File:BM-21 Grad (02).jpg BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launcher File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 32 Retired from Parade in 2019
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 File:Flag of Laos.svg Laos 18
File:PCL-09.png PCL-09 122mm self-propelled howitzer File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 12
File:M30 howitzer nn 1.jpg M-30 122 mm howitzer Towed howitzers and guns File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union 15[18]
File:122- мм гаубица Д-30 (1).jpg 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)[citation needed] 20[18]
File:Nahariya-M-46-130mm-gun-499.jpg 130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)[18]
File:155HowRightRear.jpg M114 155 mm howitzer[18] File:Flag of the United States.svg United States 12[18]
File:M101-105mm-howitzer-camp-pendleton-20050326.jpg M101 howitzer 105mm (towed): M-101[18] 20[18]
File:US Army 51100 Gerety takes over "Wildcat" lair during ceremony.jpg M116 howitzer[18] 75mm (towed): M-116 pack 10

[19][20]

Air defence

Photo Model Type Origin Quantity Notes
File:SA-3 EP 2006.JPG S-125 Neva/Pechora Short-range SAM system File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
File:9A35 combat vehicle 9K35 Strela-10 - TankBiathlon14part2-37.jpg 9K35 Strela-10 Vehicle-mounted SAM system File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
Yitian anti air system Surface-to-air missile File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Unknown
File:ZSU-23-4 Shilka -02.jpg ZSU-23-4 Shilka Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown
File:SA-7.jpg Strela-2 Surface-to-air missile File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Unknown Received 100 launchers from Soviet Union in the 80s[21]
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

[18]

Weapons

Photo Model Type Caliber Origin Notes
File:TT33.JPG TT-33 Semi-automatic pistol 7.62×25mm Tokarev File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Standard service pistols for Laotian Armed Forces.
File:Пистолет Макарова.png PM[22] Semi-automatic pistol 9×18mm Makarov File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
File:Pindad G2 Combat.png G2 Semi-automatic pistol 9x19mm Parabellum File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia [23]
File:QCW05 - 5.8mm submachine gun 20170919.jpg JS 9 mm Bullpup Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China [24]
File:M1200 Shotgun (7414627784).jpg Winchester Model 1200 Pump shotgun 12-gauge Template:US
File:Vepr-12 ARMS & Hunting 2012 01.jpg Vepr-12 Semi-automatic shotgun 12-gauge File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia Used by Laotian special forces.
File:Simonov-SKS-45.JPG Simonov SKS Semi-automatic rifle 7.62×39mm M43 File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Limited use, used for ceremonial purpose only.
File:Mosin-Nagant M1891 right side.png Mosin-Nagant Bolt-action rifle 7.62×54mmR File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Limited use, in storage.
File:9A-91.jpg 9A-91 Assault rifle, Carbine 9x39mm File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia Used by Laotian special forces.
File:AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg File:Tula AKM.jpg

AKM AKMS

Assault rifle 7.62×39mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Standard service rifles for Laotian Armed Forces, including police officer and Lao People's army. To be replaced by AK-74 and AK-12.[22]
File:Ak74assault.jpg AK-74 Assault rifle 5.45x39mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union Seen in the hands of Laotian troops during Lao National Day military parade on 2 December 2025.
File:Army-2020-303.JPG AK-12 Assault rifle 5.45x39mm File:Flag of Russia.svg Russia Used by Laotian special forces.
File:QBZ95 automatic rifle mod noBG.png QBZ-95 Bullpup Assault rifle 5.8×42mm DBP87
5.56×45mm NATO 		File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Used by Laotian Special Forces and Special Police Forces.
File:Type 56 (Iraq).jpg Type 56 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
File:Canadian civilian version of Type 81 automatic rifle noBG.png Type 81 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm File:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 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 File:Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia In 2014, Laos imported 35 SS1 V2s and SS1 V4s.[25]
File:SS2-V1 ID2008.jpg Pindad SS2 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO File:Flag of Indonesia.svg 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 File:Flag of Israel.svg Israel
File:Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam 		Laos received Vietnamese-made Galil ACEs in January 2019.
File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png RPD Light machine gun 7.62×39mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union [22]
File:Machine gun 762 KK PKM 20180604.jpg PK machine gun General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union [22]
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 File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
File:12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года (3-1).jpg DShK Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
File:SVD Dragunov.jpg Dragunov SVD Designated marksman rifle, Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union [24]
File:Rpg-7.jpg RPG-7 Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union
File:RPG-2. (49193484607).jpg RPG-2 Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union

[19][20][26]

Mortars

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Laos Lao People's Army - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System". photius.com. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Amnesty International, (23 March 2007), "Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hiding in the jungle – Hmong under threat" "Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hiding in the jungle - Hmong under threat | Amnesty International". Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. ↑ The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, CPPA, Washington, D.C. (1 August 2013), http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org Archived 6 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ 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)
  5. ↑ "Laos Deputy PM Douangchay Phichit dies in plane crash". BBC News. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  6. ↑ Williams, Martin (17 May 2014). "Laos plane crash kills defence minister and senior officials". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  7. ↑ "Lao Defense Chief Among Plane Crash Victims". Laos News.Net. 18 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency". www.cia.gov. November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Đoàn sĩ quan trẻ Bộ CHQS Thủ đô Viêng Chăn giao lưu tại Trung đoàn 692". People's Army Newspaper (Vietnam). 28 June 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Russia receives 30 vintage tank from Laos". 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 9 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Trade Registers". Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  12. ↑ Foss, Christopher F. (2000). Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780004724522.
  13. ↑ Administrator. "PT-76". Pancerni 2. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014. [verification needed]
  14. ↑ Foss, Christopher F. (2000). Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780004724522.
  15. ↑ Foss, Christopher F. (2000). Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780004724522.
  16. ↑ Foss, Christopher F. (2000). Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780004724522.
  17. ↑ Gibson, Neil; Fediushko, Dmitry (22 January 2019). "Laotian military parades Russian- and Chinese-made equipment". Jane's 360. London, Moscow. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 "Laos Army Equipment". Global Security. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 John Pike. "World Military Guide". Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Laos". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "Trade Registers". Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Cove, The (25 February 2022). "Know Your Region (KYR): Laos - Military". cove.army.gov.au. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Laos Borong Senjata Buatan Pindad" (in Indonesian). 11 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Cặp đôi súng Trung Quốc trong biên chế đặc công Lào mạnh cỡ nào?". 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023.
  25. ↑ Administrator, ANTARA (24 September 2017). "Laos Expresses Interest To Make Another Purchase of Pindad Weapon". Tempo.co. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  26. ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 "Library of Congress / Federal Research Division / Country Studies / Area Handbooks / Laos / Tables". Retrieved 22 October 2014.

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

Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Lao_People%27s_Armed_Forces&oldid=26759"