Are Chinese military aircraft already using a new joint air facility in Laos?
Recent satellite imagery shows twice as many K-8/JL-8-family trainer aircraft on site as Laos’ air force is thought to possess
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Chinese military aircraft may already be using a new joint aviation facility in Laos, with satellite imagery showing twice as many K-8/JL-8-family trainer aircraft there as the Laotian air force is assessed to possess.
Eight of the two-seat trainer and light-attack aircraft were visible at Ban Keun Airport in commercial satellite imagery taken on September 30, according to Reuters, which first reported the images. More than two dozen military and support vehicles were also visible.
The image was taken a day after the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Centre and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy formally began operations at the airport, with a People’s Liberation Army delegation attending the inauguration.
Beijing says the jointly maintained and operated centre is intended to strengthen training for Laotian air force pilots.
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