It may sound unusual—how can a landlocked country have a navy? Yet Laos proves it’s not impossible. With the Mekong River as a strategic asset, this landlocked nation maintains a naval force that serves an essential purpose.
Geographically bordered by China to the north, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, and Thailand and Myanmar to the west, Laos operates its naval fleet, known as the Lao People’s Navy, on the Mekong River, the longest and largest river in Southeast Asia.
History of the Lao People's Navy
The Lao People's Navy was officially established in 1975 as the successor to the Royal Lao Navy. Its initial fleet consisted of about twenty U.S.-made river patrol boats and sixteen amphibious landing craft.
By the mid-1994s, the Navy numbered about 500 personnel and played a crucial role in securing the country's waterways.
Under the guidance of Vietnamese experts, the Navy successfully organized and trained its personnel for various riverine operations and ship maintenance. One of its primary missions was to monitor opposition groups crossing the Mekong from their bases in Thailand.
The Navy expanded its fleet in the early 1980s with patrol boats acquired from the Soviet Union, increasing its operational capacity. However, its ability to secure the waterways was compromised by the mid-1990s when the number of patrol boats declined.
Nevertheless, the Navy continued its surveillance duties with its remaining fleet, which included modernized riverine vessels originally provided by the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
As of 2021, the navy remains the smallest component of the Lao armed forces, with minimal significant updates to its fleet or organizational structure. Information on the current number, type, and operational status of its vessels is limited, but the Lao People's Navy remains committed to its mission of protecting the country's domestic waterways.
Why Does Laos Need a Navy?
As a landlocked country, the existence of a naval force in Laos might seem unusual. However, the presence of the Mekong River, one of the longest and most important waterways in the world, gives the Lao Navy a strategic role.
This 4,350-kilometer river originates in Qinghai Province, China, flows through Southeast Asia, including Laos, and empties into the sea via the Vietnamese delta. As a vital source of livelihood and transportation, the Mekong River is a lifeline for Laos, both economically and in terms of security.
In the publication “Laos’ Perspectives on National Security” by Thieng Boupha, non-traditional threats are cited as the primary reason Laos needs a navy. Transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, illegal smuggling, human trafficking, and unauthorized migration frequently occur along the Mekong River and Laos’ borders with Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Additionally, threats like terrorism and the impact of natural disasters also jeopardize the country’s stability and security.
Low Budget, High Challenges: The Laos Navy
According to The Cove, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) are often regarded as having one of the weakest navies in the world, primarily due to limited funding, resources, and infrastructure. As one of the least developed countries in Southeast Asia, Laos faces significant challenges in building a strong and modern naval force.
With an extremely modest military budget—only around 0.2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or approximately USD 18.5 million between 2013 and 2017—Laos lacks the financial capacity to adequately develop its navy. Furthermore, Laos has not officially disclosed its defense budget since 2015.
Following 1975, Laos relied heavily on military aid from Vietnam and the Soviet Union to bolster its armed forces. However, the cessation of this support in the early 1990s led to a sharp decline in the capabilities of the Lao military, including its navy. Consequently, the Lao Navy not only suffers from a lack of modern equipment but also struggles with maintaining its existing fleet.
