World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Satellite images show eight trainer aircraft at new China-Laos facility
A new China-Laos joint support and training centre and aviation academy began operating at Ban Keun Airport in Laos.
Satellite imagery taken the next day, September 30, showed eight K-8/JL-8-family trainer and light-attack aircraft at the airport, along with more than two dozen military and support vehicles.
That is twice the number of aircraft of this type that the Laotian air force is assessed to possess.
The images raise the possibility that Chinese military aircraft are already using the facility, but do not establish who owns or operates the planes.
A People’s Liberation Army delegation attended the facility’s inauguration.
Beijing says the jointly maintained and operated centre is intended to strengthen training for Laotian air force pilots.
The available information does not say what will happen next.
Satellite imagery showed eight K-8/JL-8-family trainer and light-attack aircraft at Ban Keun Airport in Laos.
The number is twice as many as the Laotian air force is assessed to possess.
More than two dozen military and support vehicles were also visible.
The image was taken a day after a China-Laos joint centre and aviation academy began operations at the airport.
Beijing says the centre is intended to strengthen training for Laotian air force pilots.
- Who
- The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Centre and China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy began operations. A People’s Liberation Army delegation attended the inauguration.
- What
- Satellite imagery showed eight K-8/JL-8-family trainer and light-attack aircraft at Ban Keun Airport.
- When
- The imagery was taken on September 30. The joint facilities began operations the day before.
- Where
- Ban Keun Airport, Laos.
- Why
- Beijing says the jointly maintained and operated centre is intended to strengthen training for Laotian air force pilots.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Centre and China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy formally began operations at Ban Keun Airport.
Commercial satellite imagery showed eight trainer and light-attack aircraft and more than two dozen military and support vehicles at the airport.
- Aircraft visible
- Eight K-8/JL-8-family trainer and light-attack aircraft
- Airport
- Ban Keun Airport, Laos
- Other vehicles visible
- More than two dozen military and support vehicles
- Image date
- September 30
- Facilities
- China-Laos Joint Support and Training Centre; China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy
Sources
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