Analysts React to China Opening First Overseas Air Base in Laos

China established its first overseas air force base at the Ban Keun airfield north of Vientiane, Laos, marking an expansion of Beijing’s foreign military footprint beyond its traditional naval installations.

Beijing has long sought to increase its influence across the Asia-Pacific region, competing with Washington and its allies over crucial shipping routes and undersea resource exploration in the disputed South China Sea. Under leader Xi Jinping, China has modernized its military, increased defense spending, and intensified pressure on Taiwan. Until now, the country’s foreign military installations have been primarily naval bases, making the Laos facility a distinct new departure.

Joint Flight Training and Support Centre Established in Laos

The installation is officially designated as the Joint Flight Training and Support Centre, situated at the Ban Keun airfield north of the Laotian capital. Both communist governments stated that the facility aims to train Laotian air force pilots. China’s defense ministry added that the site would be maintained for normal operations by both sides and did not target any third party.

Joshua Kurlantzick, a Southeast Asia expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, noted that the Laos facility represents China’s first overseas air force base and noted that more will likely follow as Beijing tests how to operate air facilities beyond its borders. Security researcher Collin Koh added that training Laotian pilots will require China to place military assets at the facility, ranging from transport aircraft to modern fighter jets. Koh noted that Ban Keun could also function as a convenient stopover for the Chinese air force and potentially host stationed Chinese personnel.

Regional Security Implications Across Southeast Asia

The United States and regional neighbors such as Vietnam and Thailand are monitoring the development for signs of a wider military build-up. The US Department of Defense reported that Beijing had previously considered establishing military facilities in roughly 20 countries across Africa and Asia, not including Laos. Carl Thayer, an Asia military specialist, advised against overreaction, noting that the Ban Keun site currently supports only light aircraft and military trainers, leaving the permanence and scale of any future Chinese presence unclear.

This development follows other prominent Chinese overseas military projects, including the base in Djibouti established in 2017 and upgrades funded by Beijing at the Ream naval base in Cambodia. While foreign facilities like Djibouti have expanded to include sophisticated signals intelligence capabilities, analysts emphasize that the Laos installation remains focused on bilateral training and cooperation. For Laos, a nation that relies on Chinese credit, hosting the facility secures continued financial incentives, military equipment, and strong diplomatic alignment with Beijing.

The benefit for Laos is it keeps China happy.