China Opens First Overseas Air Force Base in Laos

The Government of China opened the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy at Ban Keun Airport on September 29, 2026. Located in Vientiane Province, approximately 45 to 50 kilometers north of Vientiane, the facility marks the first air force-specific base for the People's Liberation Army outside of China. The site features five hangars and a 2,000-meter paved runway.

Khamlieng Outhakaisone, the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, attended the inauguration alongside a delegation from the People's Liberation Army. The Ministry of National Defence of the People's Republic of China stated the facilities are jointly maintained and operated to bolster pilot training for the Laotian Air Force. Officials asserted the center complies with international law and is not directed against any third party.

This development follows China's establishment of military outposts in Djibouti and Cambodia. While Beijing emphasizes regional stability, analysts suggest the base allows China to project power into the Indochina Peninsula and secure maritime routes by mitigating risks at the Strait of Malacca. Some experts warn the facility could eventually host combat assets or intercept U.S. Air Force assets from Diego Garcia, while others note that the landlocked geography of Laos limits its operational utility compared to naval bases. The move has particularly alarmed Vietnam due to its proximity to the Indochina Peninsula.