Editing Lao People's Armed Forces

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Laos}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox national military
| country = Lao People's Democratic Republic
| name = Lao People's Armed Forces
| image = Emblem of Lao People's Army.svg
| image_size = 160px
| caption = Emblem of Lao People's Armed Forces
| image2 = Flag of the Lao People's Armed Forces.svg
| caption2 = Flag of the Lao People's Armed Forces
| founded = {{start date and age|1949|1|20|df=y}}
| current_form = 
| branches = Lao People's Army (includes [[Lao People's Navy|Riverine Force]])<br/>[[Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force|Lao People's Air Force]]<br/>Self-Defense Militia Forces<ref name="cia.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/laos/|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|date=November 2021}}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Vientiane]]
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[Defence and Public Security Commission]]
{{Infobox
|child = yes
|label1 = DPSC Chairman, [[President of Laos|President]] and [[General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party|General Secretary]] 
|data1 = [[Thongloun Sisoulith]]
|label2 = Secretary
|data2 =
}}
| minister = [[General]] [[Chansamone Chanyalath]]
| minister_title = [[Minister of Defense (Laos)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = [[Lieutenant General]] [[Khamlieng Outhakaysone]]
| commander_title = Chief of the General Staff
| chief_of_staff = 
| age = 18- 45 years of age for compulsory military service
| conscription = minimum 18 months
| manpower_data = 2005 est.
| manpower_age = 15–49
| available = 1,500,625
| available_f = 1,521,116
| fit = 954,816
| fit_f = 1,006,082
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 100,000
| ranked = 
| reserve = 30,000
| deployed = 
| amount = $18.5 million (2019)
| percent_GDP = 0.5% (2006)
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|China}}<br>{{flag|Vietnam}}<br>{{flag|Russia}}<br>{{flag|United States}}<br>{{flag|Ukraine}}<br>{{flag|Indonesia}}
{{collapsible list|title=Historical:|''{{flag|Czechoslovak Socialist Republic|name=Czechoslovakia}}''|''{{GDR}}''|''{{flag|Hungarian People's Republic|name=Hungarian}}''|''{{USSR}}''}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[First Indochinese War]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]
*[[Laotian Civil War]]
*[[Cambodian Civil War]]
[[Communist insurgency in Thailand]]<br>[[Third Indochina War]]
*[[Insurgency in Laos]]
*[[Thai-Laotian Border War]]
| ranks = [[Military ranks of the Lao People's Armed Forces|Military ranks of Laos]]
| commander-in-chief_title = Governing body
}}

The '''Lao People's Armed Forces''' ('''LPAF'''; {{langx|lo|ກອງທັບປະຊາຊົນລາວ}}) 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, [[PK machine gun|PKM]] machine gun, [[Makarov pistol|Makarov PM]] pistol, and the [[RPD machine gun|RPD]] light machine gun.

== Organization ==
The LPAF is divided into four [[Military Regions of Laos|military regions]], with its headquarters in Vientiane

* Military Region One ([[Luang Prabang]])
* Military Region Two ([[Phonsavan]])
* Military Region Three ([[Xépôn]])
* Military Region Four ([[Pakxan]])

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laos Lao People's Army - Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System |url=https://photius.com/countries/laos/national_security/laos_national_security_lao_peoples_army.html |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=photius.com}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|Military history of Laos}}

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|thumb|left|Lao People's Armed Forces on Red Square in [[Moscow]] during the [[2025 Moscow Victory Day Parade|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.<ref name="cia.gov"/>

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 state|one-party]] [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] [[Lao People's Revolutionary Party|LPRP]] [[Government of Laos|government]] and the [[Laos-Vietnam relations|support it receives]] from the [[Socialist Republic of Vietnam]].<ref name="cia.gov"/>

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).<ref name="cia.gov"/>

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 in Laos|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"  {{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA26/003/2007 |title=Lao People's Democratic Republic: Hiding in the jungle - Hmong under threat &#124; Amnesty International |access-date=2016-12-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208112022/http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA26/003/2007 |archive-date=8 December 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="auto4">The Centre for Public Policy Analysis, CPPA, Washington, D.C. (1 August 2013), http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org</ref>
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.<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 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230410083111/https://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 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230410100739/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130304006755/en/Laos-Attacks-Intensify-Lao-Hmong-People Archive])</ref>

==Equipment==
=== Tanks, armored vehicles and trucks ===
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="70%"
|-
! width="2%"| Photo
! width="4%"| Model
! width="4%"| Type
! width="3%"| Origin
! width="2%"| Quantity
! width="6%"| Notes
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7" | [[Tank]]s
|-
|[[File: OpenWater2017qualifying-27.jpg|120x120px]]
|[[T-72|T-72B1MS]]
|[[Main battle tank]]
|{{flag|Russia}}
|~50<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/amp/russia-receives-30-vintage-t-3485-tanks-from-laos/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2|title=Russia receives 30 vintage tank from Laos|date=10 June 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909010352/https://www.janes.com/amp/russia-receives-30-vintage-t-3485-tanks-from-laos/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2|archive-date= September 9, 2021}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[File:T-55 4.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[T-55]]
|[[Main battle tank]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}<br>{{flag|Hungarian People's Republic}}
|85<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[File:Verkhnyaya Pyshma Tank Museum 2012 0181.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[PT-76]]
|[[Light tank]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|25<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/376|isbn = 9780004724522|title = Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide|year = 2000|last1 = Foss|first1 = Christopher F.| publisher=HarperCollins }}</ref>
|30 were in service in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pancerni.abajt.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=71&limit=1&limitstart=1|publisher=Pancerni 2|author=Administrator|title=PT-76|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015628/http://www.pancerni.abajt.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=71&limit=1&limitstart=1|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/914017879 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/913781492 cite #43 – verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> Currently 25 are in service.
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7" | [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]]/[[Infantry fighting vehicle|IFV]]
|-
|[[File:BTR-60PB NVA.JPG|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[BTR-60PB]]
|[[Armored personnel carrier]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|70<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/376|isbn = 9780004724522|title = Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide|year = 2000|last1 = Foss|first1 = Christopher F.| publisher=HarperCollins }}</ref>
|Currently 70 are in service. BTR-60s have been seen in service as recently as January 2019
|-
|[[File:BTR 152 Yerevan.JPG|120px]]
|[[BTR-152]] 
|[[Armored personnel carrier]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/376|isbn = 9780004724522|title = Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide|year = 2000|last1 = Foss|first1 = Christopher F.| publisher=HarperCollins }}</ref>
|-
|[[File:BTR-40 type at Kubinka.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[BTR-40]]
|[[Armored personnel carrier]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|10<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/376|isbn = 9780004724522|title = Jane's tank & combat vehicle recognition guide|year = 2000|last1 = Foss|first1 = Christopher F.| publisher=HarperCollins }}</ref>
|
|-
|[[File:Interpolitex 2010 (333-54).jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[BRDM-2|BRDM-2M]]
|[[Armored car (military)|Armoured car]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}} {{flag|Russia}}
|20<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Neil |last2=Fediushko |first2=Dmitry |title=Laotian military parades Russian- and Chinese-made equipment |url=https://www.janes.com/article/85876/laotian-military-parades-russian-and-chinese-made-equipment/ |website=Jane's 360 |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223848/https://www.janes.com/article/85876/laotian-military-parades-russian-and-chinese-made-equipment/ |archive-date=23 January 2019 |location=London, Moscow |date=22 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|Upgraded BRDM-2M supplied by Russia in late 2018. At least 10 in service.
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7" | [[Armored car (military)|Light armoured vehicle]]/[[Infantry mobility vehicle|Light assault vehicle]]
|-
|
|[[Dima DMT5070XFB]]
|[[Armored personnel carrier]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|Chinese Tiger 4x4
|[[Infantry mobility vehicle]]
|{{flag|China}}
| Unknown
|
|-
|
|CS/VN3 4x4 
|[[Infantry mobility vehicle]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7" |[[Truck]]/[[Military light utility vehicle|Utility]]
|-
|[[File:Iraqi KrAZ trucks.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[KrAZ-6322]]
|Truck
|{{flag|Ukraine}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:Ural-4320 - ETIF-2010 (1).jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[Ural-4320]]
|Medium truck
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:Interpolitex2016part2-11.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[GAZ Sadko|GAZ-3308]]
|Medium truck
|{{flag|Russia}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|[[FAW Jiefang|FAW Jiefang 141]]
|Medium truck
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File: Ural-43206 transport truck.jpg|119x119px]]
|[[Ural-4320|Ural-43206]]
|Light truck
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File: ParkPatriot2015part4-22.jpg|119x119px]]
|[[GAZ-66]]
|Platform truck
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|BAIC 4x4 vehicles
|[[Military light utility vehicle]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:ParkPatriot2015part4-12.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[UAZ-469]]
|[[Military light utility vehicle]] 
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:Beijing BJ2022LC Warrior.jpg|alt=|119x119px]]
|[[BJ2022|BJ2022JC]]
|[[Military light utility vehicle]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:PTS-M VS4.JPG|alt=|119x119px]]
|[[PTS (vehicle)|PTS]]
|[[PTS (vehicle)|Tracked amphibious transport]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|Shaanxi SX2190
|Launched bridge
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|Shaanxi SX2190
|[[Pontoon bridge|Floating bridge]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
! style="align: center;" colspan="7" |Engineering and support vehicles
|-
|
|[[XCMG]] backhoe loader 
|[[Heavy equipment|Engineering vehicle]]
|rowspan="5" |{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|XCMG excavator 
|[[Heavy equipment|Engineering vehicle]]
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|XCMG wheel loader 
|[[Heavy equipment|Engineering vehicle]]
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|XCMG XJY240WQ 
|[[Heavy equipment|Engineering vehicle]]
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|XCMG XJY240Z 
|[[Heavy equipment|Engineering vehicle]]
|Unknown
|
|}

=== Artillery ===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="70%"
|-bgcolor=#FFDEAD
! width="2%"| Photo
! width="4%"| Model
! width="5%"| Type
! width="3%"| Origin
! width="2%"| Quantity
! width="6%"| Notes
|-
|
|Dongfeng CS/SS4
|Self propelled mortar system
|{{flag|China}}
|14{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
|
|-
|
|[[SR-5 (MLRS)|SR-5]]
|[[Multiple rocket launcher]]
|{{flag|China}}
|12
|
|-
|[[File:BM-21 Grad (02).jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[BM-21 Grad]]
|[[Multiple Launch Rocket Systems|122mm multiple rocket launcher]]
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|32
|
|-
|[[File:Реактивная система залпового огня БМ-14.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[BM-14]]
|[[Multiple rocket launcher]]
|20
|
|-
|[[File:2S3 Akatsiya 3260.jpg|alt=|119x119px]]
|[[2S3 Akatsiya]]
|[[Self-propelled gun|152mm self-propelled howitzer]]
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|122-HL-70
|[[Self-propelled gun|122mm self-propelled howitzer]]
|{{flag|Laos}}
|18
|
|-
|[[File: PCL-09.png|119x119px]]
|[[PCL-09]]
|[[Self propelled howitzer|122mm self-propelled howitzer]]
|{{flag|China}}
|12
|
|-
|[[File:M30 howitzer nn 1.jpg|120px]]||[[M-30 122 mm howitzer]]|| rowspan="4" | Towed howitzers and guns|| rowspan="3" |{{flag|Soviet Union}}|| 15<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/laos/army-equipment.htm|title=Laos Army Equipment|publisher=Global Security|access-date=18 January 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410143652/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/laos/army-equipment.htm|archive-date= April 10, 2023}}</ref>||
|-
| [[File:122- мм гаубица Д-30 (1).jpg|120px]]||[[122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)]]{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}|| 20<ref name="auto" />||
|-
| [[File:Nahariya-M-46-130mm-gun-499.jpg|120px]]||[[130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)]]<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[File:155HowRightRear.jpg|120px]]||[[M114 155 mm howitzer]]<ref name="auto" />|| rowspan="3" | {{flag|United States}} || 12<ref name="auto" />||
|-
|[[File:M101-105mm-howitzer-camp-pendleton-20050326.jpg|120px]]|| [[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|120px]]|| [[M116 howitzer]]<ref name="auto"/> || 75mm (towed): M-116 pack || 10 ||
|-
|}<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/index.html|title=World Military Guide|author=John Pike|access-date=22 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418025826/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/index.html|archive-date=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/order-of-battle/laos|title=Laos|access-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429184747/http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/order-of-battle/laos|archive-date=29 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Air defense===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="70%"
|-bgcolor=#FFDEAD
! width="2%"| Photo
! width="4%"| Model
! width="5%"| Type
! width="3%"| Origin
! width="2%"| Quantity
! width="6%"| Notes
|-
|[[File:SA-3 EP 2006.JPG|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[S-125 Neva/Pechora]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|Short-range SAM system]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:9A35 combat vehicle 9K35 Strela-10 - TankBiathlon14part2-37.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[9K35 Strela-10]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|Vehicle-mounted SAM system]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|
|[[WZ-551#Variants|Yitian anti air system]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Unknown
|
|-
|[[File:ZSU-23-4 Shilka -02.jpg|alt=|119x119px]]
|[[ZSU-23-4 Shilka]]
|[[Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Unknown
|
|-
| [[File:SA-7.jpg|120px]]||[[Strela-2]] || Surface-to-air missile || rowspan="5" | {{flag|Soviet Union}} || Unknown ||Received 100 launchers from Soviet Union in the 80s<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:M1939-37mm-hatzerim-1.jpg|120px]]||[[37 mm automatic air defence gun M1939 (61-K)]]|| Air defence gun || Unknown  ||
|-
|[[File:S-60-57mm-hatzerim-1.jpg|120px]]||[[57 mm AZP S-60]]|| Automatic anti-aircraft gun || Unknown ||
|-
|[[File:14,5-мм счетверенная зенитная пулеметная установка конструкции Лещинского ЗПУ-4 (1).jpg|120px]]||[[ZPU]]|| Auto anti-aircraft gun || Unknown ||
|-
| [[File:ZU-23-2 in Saint Petersburg.jpg|120px]]||[[ZU-23-2]]||[[Anti-aircraft gun]]|| Unknown ||
|-
|}<ref name="auto"/>

=== Weapons ===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="70%"
|- bgcolor="#FFDEAD"
! width="2%" | Photo
! width="4%" | Model
! width="5%" | Type
! width="2%" | Caliber
! width="3%" | Origin
! width="6%" | Notes

|-
|[[File: TT33.JPG|120x120px]]||[[TT pistol|TT-33]]
|[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|[[7.62×25mm Tokarev]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}|| rowspan="2" |Standard service pistols for Laotian Armed Forces.
|-
|[[File: Пистолет Макарова.png|120x120px]]||[[Makarov pistol|PM]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Cove |first=The |date=February 25, 2022 |title=Know Your Region (KYR): Laos - Military |url=https://cove.army.gov.au/article/kyr-laos-military |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=cove.army.gov.au}}</ref>
|[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|[[9×18mm Makarov]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
|[[File:G2-COMBAT.jpg|120x120px]]
|[[Pindad G2|G2]]
|[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|[[9x19mm Parabellum]]
|{{IDN}}
|<ref>{{cite news|title=Laos Borong Senjata Buatan Pindad|url=https://militermeter.com/laos-borong-senjata-buatan-pindad/|date=January 11, 2018|language=id|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321061522/https://militermeter.com/laos-borong-senjata-buatan-pindad/|archive-date= March 21, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:QCW05 - 5.8mm submachine gun 20170919.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[JS 9 mm]]
|[[Bullpup]] [[Submachine gun]]
|[[9×19mm Parabellum]] 
|{{flag|China}}
|<ref name="conglao">{{Cite web|url=https://kienthuc.net.vn/quan-su/cap-doi-sung-trung-quoc-trong-bien-che-dac-cong-lao-manh-co-nao-1383333.html|title=Cặp đôi súng Trung Quốc trong biên chế đặc công Lào mạnh cỡ nào?|date=15 May 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402033717/https://kienthuc.net.vn/quan-su/cap-doi-sung-trung-quoc-trong-bien-che-dac-cong-lao-manh-co-nao-1383333.html|archive-date=April 2, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:M1200 Shotgun (7414627784).jpg|frameless|129x129px]]
|[[Winchester Model 1200]]
|[[Pump shotgun]]
|[[12-gauge]]
|{{US}}
|
|-
|[[File: Simonov-SKS-45.JPG|128x128px]]
|[[Simonov SKS]]
|[[Semi-automatic rifle]]
|[[7.62×39mm]] M43
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Limited use, used for ceremonial purpose only.
|-
|[[File:Mosin-Nagant M1891 right side.png|frameless|133x133px]]
|[[Mosin-Nagant]]
|[[Bolt-action rifle]]
|[[7.62×54mmR]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|Limited use, in storage.
|-
|[[File:9A-91.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[9A-91]]
|[[Assault rifle]], [[Carbine]]
|[[9x39mm]]
|{{flag|Russia}}
|Used by Laotian special forces.
|-
|[[File:AKM automatkarbin - 7,62x39mm.jpg|frameless|128x128px]][[File:Tula AKM.jpg|frameless|131x131px]]||
[[AKM]] 
[[AKMS]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[7.62×39mm]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}||Standard service rifles for Laotian Armed Forces, including police officer and Lao People's army.<ref name=":3" />
|-
| [[File:QBZ95 automatic rifle mod noBG.png|frameless|128x128px]]
|[[QBZ-95]]
|[[Bullpup]] [[Assault rifle]]
|[[5.8×42mm DBP87]]
----[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
|{{flag|China}}
|Standard issue for Laotian Special Forces and Special Police Forces.
|-
|[[File:Type 56 (Iraq).jpg|frameless|123x123px]]
|[[Type 56 assault rifle|Type 56]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[7.62×39mm]]
|{{flag|China}}
|
|-
|[[File: Canadian civilian version of Type 81 automatic rifle noBG.png|120x120px]]
|[[Type 81 assault rifle|Type 81]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[7.62×39mm]]
|{{flag|China}}
|
|-
|[[File:Amd65.jpg|frameless|120x120px]]
|[[AMD-65]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[7.62×39mm]]
|{{flag|Hungarian People's Republic}}
|
|-
|[[File:Pindad-ss1 (cropped).jpg|frameless|126x126px]]
|[[Pindad SS1]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
|{{IDN}}
|In 2014, Laos imported 35 SS1 V2s and SS1 V4s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Administrator |first=ANTARA |date=24 September 2017 |title=Laos Expresses Interest To Make Another Purchase of Pindad Weapon |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/911757/laos-expresses-interest-to-make-another-purchase-of-pindad-weapon |url-status=live |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=Tempo.co|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410143653/https://en.tempo.co/read/911757/laos-expresses-interest-to-make-another-purchase-of-pindad-weapon|archive-date=April 10, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:SS2-V1 ID2008.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[Pindad SS2]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
|{{flag|Indonesia}}
|
|-
|[[File:Usarmy m16a2.jpg|frameless|119x119px]]
|[[M16 rifle|M16A2]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
|{{US}}
|
|-
|[[File:Ace 32 close stock.jpg|120x120px]][[File:Galil ACE 32.jpg|left|thumb|110x110px|STV-380, an assault rifle made from Vietnam-based to Israeli's assault rifle.]]
|[[IWI ACE]]
|[[Assault rifle]]
|[[7.62×39 mm]]
|{{flag|Israel}}<br />{{flag|Vietnam}}
|Laos received Vietnamese-made Galil ACEs in January 2019.
|-
|[[File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[RPD machine gun|RPD]]
|[[Light machine gun]]
|[[7.62×39mm]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
|[[File:Machine gun 762 KK PKM 20180604.jpg|frameless|125x125px]]
|[[PK machine gun]]
|[[General-purpose machine gun]]
|[[7.62×54mmR]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|<ref name=":3" />
|-
| [[File:Machine Gun, M60.jpg|frameless|126x126px]]
|[[M60 machine gun]]
|[[General-purpose machine gun]]
|[[7.62×51mm NATO]]
|{{US}}
|
|-
|[[File:KPVrear.jpg|frameless|144x144px]]
|[[KPV heavy machine gun]]
|[[Heavy machine gun]]
|[[14.5×114mm]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
|-
|[[File: 12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года (3-1).jpg|124x124px]]
|[[DShK]]
|[[Heavy machine gun]]
|[[12.7×108mm]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
|-
|[[File:SVD Dragunov.jpg|alt=|120x120px]]
|[[Dragunov SVD]]
|[[Designated marksman rifle]], [[Sniper rifle]]
|[[7.62×54mmR]]
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|<ref name="conglao"/>
|-
|[[File:Rpg-7.jpg|frameless|136x136px]]
|[[RPG-7]]
|[[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
|40mm
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
|-
|[[File:RPG-2. (49193484607).jpg|frameless|137x137px]]
|[[RPG-2]]
|[[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
|40mm
|{{flag|Soviet Union}}
|
|}<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>

===Mortars===
* 81mm<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/laos/la_appen.html|title=Library of Congress / Federal Research Division / Country Studies / Area Handbooks / Laos / Tables|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref>
* 82mm<ref name="auto2"/>
* 120mm<ref name=":3" />
* {{flag|Soviet Union}} [[M1938 mortar]]<ref name="auto2"/>
* {{flag|Soviet Union}} [[160mm Mortar M1943|120mm: M-43]]<ref name="auto2"/>
* {{flag|United States}} [[M2 4.2 inch mortar]]

==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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Laos Deputy PM Douangchay Phichit dies in plane crash |work=BBC News |date=17 May 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27452919 |access-date=9 June 2019 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411011033/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27452919 |url-status=live }}</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">{{Cite web |title=Laos plane crash kills defence minister and senior officials |last=Williams |first=Martin |work=the Guardian |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=27 February 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/17/laos-plane-crash-kills-defence-minister-wife-officials |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308165254/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/17/laos-plane-crash-kills-defence-minister-wife-officials |url-status=live }}</ref> Their Russian-built [[Antonov An-74|Antonov AN 74-300]] with 20 people on board crashed in [[Xiangkhouang]] Province.<ref name="PlaneCrash">{{cite news|title=Lao Defense Chief Among Plane Crash Victims|url=http://www.laosnews.net/index.php/sid/222069677/scat/a6670896145a3ae3/ht/Lao-Defense-Chief-Among-Plane-Crash-Victims|date=18 May 2014|access-date=17 May 2014|website=Laos News.Net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518044617/http://www.laosnews.net/index.php/sid/222069677/scat/a6670896145a3ae3/ht/Lao-Defense-Chief-Among-Plane-Crash-Victims|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force]]
* [[Military ranks of the Lao People's Armed Forces]]
* [[Lao Army F.C.]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928163252/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201102172337151.pdf The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2011]

{{Association of Southeast Asian Nations Armed Forces}}
{{Laos topics}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{List of equipment of the Southeast Asian security forces}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Laos}}
[[Category:Military of Laos]]
[[Category:Military wings of communist parties]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Laos]]

[[bn:লাওসের সামরিক বাহিনী]]