Lao People's Armed Forces

The Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) (Template:Langx) 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

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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.<ref name="auto3">Amnesty International, (23 March 2007), "Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hiding in the jungle – Hmong under threat" {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="auto4">The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, CPPA, Washington, D.C. (1 August 2013), http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org Template:Webarchive</ref> 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.<ref>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)</ref>

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.<ref>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)</ref>

On 17 May 2014, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit was killed in a plane crash, along with other officials.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The officials were to participate in a ceremony to mark the liberation of the Plain of Jars from the former Royal Lao government forces.<ref name="theg_Laos">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their Russian-built Antonov AN 74-300 with 20 people on board crashed in Xiangkhouang Province.<ref name="PlaneCrash">Template:Cite news</ref>

Equipment

Tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks

Photo	Model	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
Tanks
	T-72B1MS	Main battle tank	Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	T-55	Main battle tank	Template:Flag Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	PT-76	Light tank	Template:Flag	25<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	citation	CitationClass=web }} Template:Verify source</ref> Currently 25 are in service.
APC/IFV
	BTR-60PB	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	70<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	Currently 70 are in service. BTR-60s have been seen in service as recently as January 2019
	BTR-152	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	Unknown	<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
	BTR-40	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	10<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
	BRDM-2M	Armoured car	Template:Flag Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	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:Flag	Unknown
	Chinese Tiger 4x4	Infantry mobility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
	CS/VN3 4x4	Infantry mobility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
Truck/Utility
	KrAZ-6322	Truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:Ural-4320 - ETIF-2010 (1).jpg	Ural-4320	Medium truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:Interpolitex2016part2-11.jpg	GAZ-3308	Medium truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
	FAW Jiefang 141	Medium truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:Ural-43206 transport truck.jpg	Ural-43206	Light truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-22.jpg	GAZ-66	Platform truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
	BAIC 4x4 vehicles	Military light utility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:ParkPatriot2015part4-12.jpg	UAZ-469	Military light utility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:Beijing BJ2022LC Warrior.jpg	BJ2022JC	Military light utility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:PTS-M VS4.JPG	PTS	Tracked amphibious transport	Template:Flag	Unknown
	Shaanxi SX2190	Launched bridge	Template:Flag	Unknown
	Shaanxi SX2190	Floating bridge	Template:Flag	Unknown
Engineering and support vehicles
	XCMG backhoe loader	Engineering vehicle	Template:Flag	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:Flag	14Template:Citation needed
	SR-5	Multiple rocket launcher	Template:Flag	12
File:BM-21 Grad (02).jpg	BM-21 Grad	122mm multiple rocket launcher	Template:Flag	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:Flag	18
File:PCL-09.png	PCL-09	122mm self-propelled howitzer	Template:Flag	12
File:M30 howitzer nn 1.jpg	M-30 122 mm howitzer	Towed howitzers and guns	Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||
File:122- мм гаубица Д-30 (1).jpg	122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)Template:Citation needed			20<ref name="auto" />
File:Nahariya-M-46-130mm-gun-499.jpg	130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)<ref name="auto"/>
File:155HowRightRear.jpg	M114 155 mm howitzer<ref name="auto" />		Template:Flag	12<ref name="auto" />
File:M101-105mm-howitzer-camp-pendleton-20050326.jpg	M101 howitzer	105mm (towed): M-101<ref name="auto"/>		20<ref name="auto"/>
File:US Army 51100 Gerety takes over "Wildcat" lair during ceremony.jpg	M116 howitzer<ref name="auto"/>	75mm (towed): M-116 pack		10

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Air defence

Photo	Model	Type	Origin	Quantity	Notes
File:SA-3 EP 2006.JPG	S-125 Neva/Pechora	Short-range SAM system	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:9A35 combat vehicle 9K35 Strela-10 - TankBiathlon14part2-37.jpg	9K35 Strela-10	Vehicle-mounted SAM system	Template:Flag	Unknown
	Yitian anti air system	Surface-to-air missile	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:ZSU-23-4 Shilka -02.jpg	ZSU-23-4 Shilka	Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun	Template:Flag	Unknown
File:SA-7.jpg	Strela-2	Surface-to-air missile	Template:Flag	Unknown	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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

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Weapons

Photo	Model	Type	Caliber	Origin	Notes
File:TT33.JPG	TT-33	Semi-automatic pistol	7.62×25mm Tokarev	Template:Flag	Standard service pistols for Laotian Armed Forces.
File:Пистолет Макарова.png	PM<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Semi-automatic pistol	9×18mm Makarov		Template:Flag
File:G2-COMBAT.jpg	G2	Semi-automatic pistol	9x19mm Parabellum	Template:IDN	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
File:QCW05 - 5.8mm submachine gun 20170919.jpg	JS 9 mm	Bullpup Submachine gun	9×19mm Parabellum	Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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	Template:Flag	Used by Laotian special forces.
File:Simonov-SKS-45.JPG	Simonov SKS	Semi-automatic rifle	7.62×39mm M43	Template:Flag	Limited use, used for ceremonial purpose only.
File:Mosin-Nagant M1891 right side.png	Mosin-Nagant	Bolt-action rifle	7.62×54mmR	Template:Flag	Limited use, in storage.
File:9A-91.jpg	9A-91	Assault rifle, Carbine	9x39mm	Template:Flag	Used by Laotian special forces.
File:AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg File:Tula AKM.jpg	AKM AKMS	Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Template:Flag	Standard service rifles for Laotian Armed Forces, including police officer and Lao People's army.<ref name=":3" />
File:Army-2020-303.JPG	AK-12	Assault rifle	5.45x39mm	Template:Flag	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	Template:Flag	Standard issue for Laotian Special Forces and Special Police Forces.
File:Type 56 (Iraq).jpg	Type 56	Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Template:Flag
File:Canadian civilian version of Type 81 automatic rifle noBG.png	Type 81	Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Template:Flag
File:Amd65.jpg	AMD-65	Assault rifle	7.62×39mm	Template:Flag
File:Pindad-ss1 (cropped).jpg	Pindad SS1	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Template:IDN	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
File:SS2-V1 ID2008.jpg	Pindad SS2	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm NATO	Template:Flag
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:Flag Template:Flag	Laos received Vietnamese-made Galil ACEs in January 2019.
File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png	RPD	Light machine gun	7.62×39mm	Template:Flag	<ref name=":3" />
File:Machine gun 762 KK PKM 20180604.jpg	PK machine gun	General-purpose machine gun	7.62×54mmR	Template:Flag	<ref name=":3" />
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:Flag
File:12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года (3-1).jpg	DShK	Heavy machine gun	12.7×108mm	Template:Flag
File:SVD Dragunov.jpg	Dragunov SVD	Designated marksman rifle, Sniper rifle	7.62×54mmR	Template:Flag	<ref name="conglao"/>
File:Rpg-7.jpg	RPG-7	Rocket-propelled grenade	40mm	Template:Flag
File:RPG-2. (49193484607).jpg	RPG-2	Rocket-propelled grenade	40mm	Template:Flag

<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). Template:ISBN.</ref>

Mortars

• 81mm<ref name="auto2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 82mm<ref name="auto2"/>
• 120mm<ref name=":3" />
• Template:Flag M1938 mortar<ref name="auto2"/>
• Template:Flag 120mm: M-43<ref name="auto2"/>
• Template:Flag M2 4.2 inch mortar

See also

• Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force
• Military ranks of the Lao People's Armed Forces

External links

• The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011