China has established its first-ever overseas air force base at the Ban Keun airfield in Laos, signaling an expansion of its foreign military footprint beyond traditional naval installations.
Beijing Establishes First Foreign Air Force Base at Ban Keun Airfield in Laos
The newly inaugurated Joint Flight Training and Support Centre, located north of the Laotian capital Vientiane, is aimed at training Laotian air force pilots, according to statements from both communist nations. Joshua Kurlantzick, a Southeast Asia expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP that the site marks China’s first overseas air base and that more will likely follow as Beijing experiments with operating military aviation sites beyond its borders. China is “not building one base in Laos and stopping,” Kurlantzick said.
China’s defence ministry stated that the facility would be maintained for normal operations by both sides and did not target any third party. Collin Koh, a security researcher, noted that China serves as Laos’s largest creditor and is using the project to showcase its ability to extend defense diplomacy with amenable countries. Training local pilots requires placing military assets on the ground, ranging from modest transport aircraft to modern fighter jets. “From training then you have a (Chinese) military presence,” Koh said, adding that Ban Keun could function as a convenient stopover for China’s air force and that combat asset deployments cannot be discounted.
Comparing China and United States Global Military Footprints
China’s military spending remains roughly one-third of the United States’ defense budget, according to the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, and its foreign military presence is heavily eclipsed by the U.S. and its hundreds of global bases. Prior to the Laotian facility, Beijing’s overseas installations were primarily naval.
In 2017, China opened its first overseas base in Djibouti on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which has since expanded to include a signals intelligence facility. Beijing funded upgrades to the Ream naval base in Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, where two Chinese anti-submarine corvettes have docked for extended periods. While Washington has raised concerns that the Ream facility gives Beijing strategic access near the South China Sea, Koh noted that the Laos center will likely be used exclusively by the Laotian and Chinese militaries.
Regional Observers Assess the Strategic Impact and Military Buildup
Regional neighbors including Vietnam and Thailand are closely monitoring the site for any signs of a broader military buildup.
However, Carl Thayer, an Asia military specialist, cautioned against alarmism. He observed that the Ban Keun site can currently support only light aircraft and military trainers, leaving it unclear whether any Chinese presence will remain permanent or heavily equipped. “You have China’s advancement,” Thayer said, “it’s not a crisis at the moment. It’s not Djibouti, it’s not Ream, but it marks a change.” For Laos, analysts note the joint facility secures military training, equipment, financial incentives, and closer diplomatic alignment with Beijing. “The benefit for Laos is it keeps China happy,” Kurlantzick said.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ban Keun Airfield Project
What is the stated purpose of the Ban Keun airfield facility?
The governments of China and Laos stated that the Joint Flight Training and Support Centre is aimed at training Laotian air force pilots.
Who has access to the newly established Laos air base?
According to security researcher Collin Koh, the Laos center will likely be used exclusively by the Laotian and Chinese militaries.
What previous overseas military installations has China opened?
China opened its first overseas base in Djibouti in 2017 and has also funded upgrades to the Ream naval base in Cambodia.
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