President Thongloun Sisoulith, other government leaders and officials view army equipment displayed as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations.

President leads Lao People’s Army 75th anniversary celebrations

Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday joined numerous other senior officials at a large-scale event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Army and demonstrate the army’s growing military might.

President Thongloun Sisoulith and other leaders shakes hands with military personnel at an event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Army.	Air force crews take to the skies in an impressive display of precision flying.

The spectacular display of the army’s weaponry and firepower took place at the Kommadam Military Academy in Phonhong district, Vientiane province.
The event was also attended by Vice Presidents Bounthong Chitmany, Mrs Pany Yathotou, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, ministers, and other officials.
Spectators were treated to a demonstration of martial arts by army personnel, including boxing and hand-to-hand combat tactics by the 11th Battalion, with an impressive opening featuring the firepower of the 199th Rifle Battalion.
There were also demonstrations of stealth attacks on an enemy command centre by special attack units, along with other operations to break down enemy defences and destroy weaponry by the 433rd Intelligence Battalion in conjunction with the Air Force.
The use of 122mm and B-21 guns, use of mobile and fixed T-72 tanks to destroy enemy targets, use of prepared firepower, and use of 57mm guns to shoot down airborne targets was also on the programme.

Army personnel fire tank-borne artillery as part of events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Army.

Speaking at the grandiose ceremony, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaisone, said “This thrilling spectacle, apart from celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Army, is a demonstration of the strength of the Lao People’s Army including the battlefield tactics employed by each division.”
The Lao People’s Army was born to assist the Party in repelling enemy forces and taking back ownership of Laos. Under the leadership of the Party, Lao people of all ethnic groups joined forces in a countrywide battle to drive the enemy out of the country and regain sovereignty of all Lao territory.
On January 20, 1949, the Lathsavong military unit was established as the first formal army to support the revolutionary movement in the Laohoung Phiengsa area of Xiengkhor district in Huaphan province. President Kaysone Phomvihane announced the formation of the embryo army and took command of the new fighting force.
The army, guided by the Party and supported by the people, went from strength to strength and valiantly went into battle against opposing forces with much stronger fire power.
Ultimately, the people, the Party and the armed forces were successful in their determined effort to liberate Laos from foreign domination and a new regime, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, was publicly proclaimed on December 2, 1975.
Following liberation, the Lao People’s Army has continued to defend the nation and support its development by strengthening its military might through diligence, rigorous training of its forces, and modernisation, creating the impressive fighting force that ensures the protection and safety enjoyed by all citizens in modern times.

Soldiers fire long-range weapons to demonstrate the army’s military might.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 18, 2024)