Chinese military aircraft may already be using a new joint aviation facility in Laos, satellite imagery indicates that there are roughly twice as many K‑8/JL‑8 trainer aircraft at the site as Laotian forces are believed to possess. Commercial satellite photos taken on September 30 show eight of the two‑seat trainer and light‑attack planes at Ban Keun Airport, along with more than two dozen military and support vehicles, according to Reuters, which first reported the images.
The imagery was captured a day after the China‑Laos Joint Support and Training Centre and the China‑Laos Friendship Aviation Academy formally opened at the airport, with a People’s Liberation Army delegation attending the inauguration ceremony.
Beijing has stated that the jointly maintained centre is designed to enhance training for Laotian air‑force pilots.
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