China Establishes Third Foreign Military Installation in Laos
China inaugurated a joint military training center and aviation academy at Ban Keun Airport in Laos, becoming its third overseas military base and second in Southeast Asia. The facility, jointly operated with the Laotian government, will focus on training Laotian pilots and was built partially on the site of a former US airfield used during the Vietnam War. China stated the installation is not directed against any third party and aims to strengthen bilateral military cooperation.
China's military presence abroad now encompasses three installations globally, with the Laos facility representing its second foothold in Southeast Asia following an earlier naval base in Cambodia. The Ban Keun location, positioned roughly 40 kilometers north of Vientiane, will serve as a training hub for Laotian military pilots through joint operations with local authorities.
The airbase's construction occurred on terrain previously occupied during the Cold War era, when US military and intelligence agencies operated a network of airfields throughout Laos as part of Vietnam War operations. Satellite imagery documented the runway's progression from early construction phases in January to completion by September, revealing infrastructure including a 2,000-meter runway, aircraft parking facilities, and multiple hangars.
The installation may influence regional military dynamics and great power competition in Southeast Asia, potentially affecting how neighboring nations perceive security arrangements. Laos, as a smaller state, could experience both strengthened defense capabilities and questions about strategic autonomy, while regional partners may reassess their own military partnerships. The facility's development could shape broader Indo-Pacific geopolitical positioning and influence diplomatic considerations for countries balancing relationships between major powers.