Lingshui Air Base Explained

Lingshui Airbase is a military air base located on Hainan Island, China.^[1] The airbase is a highly strategic location, being part of the Southern Theater Command, and within easy flying distance of the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Hainan Island is also host to a second military air base - Sanya Air Base.

History

The airbase was the focus for the aftermath of what became known as the Hainan Island incident, when a US signals intelligence aircraft was forced to make an unauthorised landing there on April 1, 2001.^[2]

Analysis of Google Earth imagery since 2004 shows Lingshui Airbase is undergoing extensive redevelopment of its aircraft parking areas.^[3]

Operations

Lingshui was one of the Chinese bases which supported the Guizhou Soar Dragon, although recent imagery has not confirmed the UAVs presence. Imagery analysis from photos taken in 2017 and 2020 shown a mix of reconnaissance aircraft at the airbase, including the Shaanxi KJ-500 and the Shaanxi Y-8Q^{[4] [5] [6]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: LINGSHUI AIR BASE openAIP . www.openaip.net . 21 February 2021.
2. Web site: The Hainan Island Incident Fighter Sweep . SOFREP . 21 February 2021 . en.
3. Web site: LIBRARY . GEOEYE/SCIENCE PHOTO . Chinese military airbase, Lingshui - Stock Image - T610/0300 . Science Photo Library . 21 February 2021 . en.
4. Web site: Yeo . Mike . China deploys new anti-submarine aircraft to fringes of South China Sea . Defense News . 21 February 2021 . 8 August 2017.
5. Web site: Yeo . Mike . China boosting naval footprint at its southern tip, new satellite images suggest . Defense News . 21 February 2021 . 21 January 2021.
6. Web site: Satellite images show China's newest sub-hunting aircraft now deployed to South China Sea . Stars and Stripes . 21 February 2021.