Overview
- China and Laos announced on Sept. 29 the opening of a joint training centre at Ban Keun Airport, about 50 kilometres north of Vientiane, to train Laotian air force pilots.
- Commercial satellite images taken on Sept. 30 show what analysts identify as eight K-8 light attack jets and more than two dozen support vehicles on a runway that is still under construction.
- Imagery reviewed by reporters shows construction that began in late 2025 has produced a paved runway, a parallel taxiway, an apron and multiple new buildings that analysts say appear engineered to allow a future runway extension.
- Beijing describes the site as bilateral training not aimed at any third party, but security scholars and diplomats warn it could serve as a PLA logistics or base presence and are monitoring for air-defence systems, munitions and fuel storage and surveillance assets.
- The project echoes China’s Djibouti logistics base and expanded access at Cambodia’s Ream and could change regional security and surveillance patterns, prompting closer monitoring by neighbouring states and military attaches.