Laos
Laos ranks #52 in global military power in 2026, with 100,000 active soldiers, 160 tanks, 29 aircraft, and 51 warships. Its annual defense budget stands at $500 million.
Unitary Republic ā¢ GLOBAL RANK #52 ā¢ Tier 4: Regional Power
LAO
GLOBAL RANK #52
Tier 4: Regional Power
100,000 SOLDIERS
160 TANKS
29 AIRCRAFT
51 SHIPS
$19.0B GDP
7,769,819 POPULATION
Laos Strategic Defense & Military Capability Dossier (2026)
Government: Unitary Republic
Economic Model: Developing Market Economy
Total Land Area: 236,800 kmĀ²
Military Alliance: Non-Aligned / Independent
Nuclear Capability: Non-Nuclear State
Main Battle Tanks (MBT): 132
Armored Combat Vehicles: 7,725
Fighter & Interceptor Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 6
Submarine Fleet: 0
Aircraft Carriers: 0
Primary Sources: SIPRI (2025/2026), IISS Military Balance 2026, IMF DataMapper, World Bank.
CULTURE & IDENTITY
RELIGION
Buddhism
64.7%
Tai Folk Religion
30%
Christianity
1.7%
Atheist
3.6%
ETHNIC GROUPS
LANGUAGES
99%
LITERACY RATE
DETAILED INTELLIGENCE
MILITARY DETAIL
Nuclear Warheads
0
ICBMs
0
Military Drones
10
Suicide Drones
0
Cruise Missiles
0
LAND FORCES
Active Personnel
100,000
Tanks
160
APCs & Combat Vehicles
7,725
Self-Propelled Arty
50
Towed Artillery
97
MLRS Rocket Systems
64
Anti-Air Systems
62
Anti-Tank Systems
209
Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
132
Light Tanks
20
Tank Destroyers
8
AIR FORCES
Total Aircraft
29
Fighters & Interceptors
0
Attack Aircraft
0
Transport Aircraft
2
Trainer Aircraft
7
Total Helicopters
20
Attack Helicopters
6
NAVAL FORCES
Total Warships
51
Aircraft Carriers
0
Helicopter Carriers
0
Submarine Fleet
0
Destroyers
0
Frigates
0
Corvettes
0
Patrol Vessels
51
Mine Warfare Vessels
0
NATURAL RESOURCES
Coal Reserves
14,000,000 Tons
Iron Ore
1 Mt
Copper
70 kt
Gold Reserves
5 Tonnes
ECONOMY
Annual GDP
$19.0 Billion
Defense Budget
$500 million
National Currency
National Currency
GEOGRAPHY
Total Land Area
236,800 kmĀ²
Coastline Length
Landlocked
Land Borders
Island Nation
Prevailing Climate
Temperate
Terrain Profile
Diverse topography
POWER INDEX
ā² #51 New Zealand
ā¼ #53 Syria
100,000
Soldiers
#52/250
160
Tanks
#52/250
7,725
Vehicles
#52/250
29
Aircraft
#52/250
51
Ships
#52/250
$19.0B
GDP
#52/250
7,769,819
Population
#52/250
236,800 kmĀ²
Area
#52/250
COMBAT ARMS DISTRIBUTION & DOCTRINE
MILITARY DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
ā
LAND FORCE PRIORITIZED
LAND FORCES77.9%
100,000 Active Personnel
AIR FORCES2.3%
29 Aircraft & Combat Aviation
NAVAL FORCES19.9%
51 Warships & Maritime Assets
Laos's strategic doctrine emphasizes land force prioritized, maintaining 100,000 active ground forces, 29 tactical aircraft, and 51 naval combatants for comprehensive sovereign deterrence.
CATEGORY RANKINGS
#52
Active Personnel
100,000
#52
Main Battle Tanks
160
#52
Armored Vehicles
7,725
#52
Combat Aircraft
29
#52
Naval Warships
51
#52
Annual GDP
$19.0B
#52
Total Population
7,769,819
#52
Total Land Area
236,800 kmĀ²
#52
Power Score
79.2
GLOBAL SOVEREIGN POWERS DIRECTORY