Satellite images show attack jets at Chinese military facility in Laos
Summary
Satellite images reveal Chinese attack jets and military vehicles at a new military facility in Laos, opened last week. This base is China's first mainland air force foothold in Southeast Asia and may be expanded to handle larger planes.Key Facts
- The new Chinese military facility is located at Ban Keun airport, about 50 km north of Vientiane, Laos.
- Satellite photos show eight Hongdu JL-8 light attack jets and over a dozen military vehicles at the site.
- The Ban Keun facility opened on September 29 as a joint "support and training center" between China and Laos.
- China has expanded the airport with new buildings and a paved runway, replacing what was farmland months ago.
- The base could be extended to handle bigger aircraft like bombers in the future.
- China’s defense ministry said the center aims to assist Laos in training air force pilots and is not targeted at any other country.
- This is China’s first known mainland military base capable of hosting fighter jets outside its own borders in Southeast Asia.
- Neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam are watching the development closely due to regional security concerns.
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