K-8 attack jets, military vehicles spotted at new China-Laos air base: Report
Satellite imagery reveals the presence of Chinese K-8 attack jets and support vehicles at a newly established joint training facility in Laos. The base, located at the former Ban Keun airfield, marks a significant expansion of China's military footprint in Southeast Asia.
Why it matters
This development signals China's growing strategic influence in the Indochina peninsula, potentially altering the regional security balance.
China is expanding its military presence in Southeast Asia, with satellite imagery showing light attack aircraft and military vehicles at a newly established China-Laos joint training facility near Vientiane, according to reports.The images, taken on September 30 by commercial satellite provider Vantor, show what security analysts believe are eight K-8 light attack jets and more than two dozen support vehicles on a runway that is still under construction, Reuters reported.China opened its first overseas military base in Djibouti in 2017 and has also developed a military presence at Cambodia’s Ream naval facility. The new Ban Keun airport is located in northwestern Vientiane province, about 45 km north of the Laotian capital, Vientiane.
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