Laos Military - 2023

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Military and security forces

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2023)

note: the Ministry of Public Security maintains internal security and is responsible for law enforcement; it oversees local, traffic, immigration, and security police, village police auxiliaries, and other armed police units

Military expenditures

0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

information is limited and estimates vary; approximately 30,000 active duty troops (26,000 Army; 4,000 Air Force) (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the LPAF is armed largely with Soviet-era weapons; in recent years, China and Russia have been the leading suppliers of military equipment to Laos (2023)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; minimum 18-month service obligation (2023)

Military - note

the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism

Vietnam is the military's primary security partner, although in recent years, Laos has expanded defense ties with China and Russia (2023)

NOTE: The information regarding Laos on this page is re-published from the 2023 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Laos 2023 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Laos 2023 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.