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Attack aircraft, military vehicles visible at new China-Laos base, satellite images show
Analysts said the aircraft are K-8 trainers and light attack jets, and the site also held more than two dozen support vehicles.
- On Tuesday, Reuters reported satellite imagery from September 30 shows eight Chinese K-8 light attack jets and more than two dozen support vehicles at the new Ban Keun training facility in Laos.
- During the Vietnam War, Ban Keun served as "Lima Site 44," an airfield for Air America, a Central Intelligence Agency-linked airline that delivered Hmong troops and supplies to combat zones.
- Singapore-Based security analysts and Vantor specialists identified the aircraft as K-8 models; scholar Collin Koh noted the planes are of "questionable serviceability," suggesting training focus over combat capability.
- The facility marks China's latest expansion of its overseas military footprint, which historically lacks a strong network beyond the South China Sea, port access in Ream, Cambodia, and a logistics base in Djibouti.
- Rachel Vandenbrink of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said "Laos does have some geostrategic value as an accessible foothold in mainland Southeast Asia," citing its border with China and railway links.
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Satellite imagery dated September 30, 2026, shows approximately eight aircraft, suspected to be K-8 light attack aircraft, and over 20 support vehicles at a new joint training facility in Ban Khon, a suburb of Vientiane, Laos. Construction is still underway in the surrounding area. The image shows Ban Khon Airport, a suburb of Vientiane, Laos. (T-55AM1 X account)
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources6
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 20%
C 60%
R 20%
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