China’s secret hangar is being expanded to house high-altitude military airships, boosting the country’s strategic capabilities.
China recently extended an already huge hangar in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region by a further 90 metres. The hangar is dedicated to the development of high-altitude military airships capable of carrying out a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, long-range communication and missile defence. The expansion of this structure suggests that China is preparing to design even larger aircraft, with extreme performance and increased payload capacity. This development is part of a global trend in which armed forces are reinvesting in lighter-than-air aircraft for a variety of military and strategic applications.
The giant hangar in Xinjiang: a state-of-the-art infrastructure
The hangar, located near Lake Bosten in the Xinjiang region, has been extended by 90 metres, bringing its total length to around 430 metres. Initially built between 2013 and 2015, the hangar is already one of the largest in the world, measuring 350 metres across. To illustrate the colossal size of this structure, a 333-metre-long Nimitz-class aircraft carrier could fit inside it with a 30-metre margin on each side. This space would accommodate several aircraft at a time, but the recent addition indicates a need for capacity for even more massive airships, possibly for extended high-altitude missions.
The growing interest in this type of infrastructure, particularly by military forces, is explained by the advantages offered by airships in terms of long-range surveillance and communication. The increased size of the hangar means that not only can larger aircraft be developed, but tests can also be carried out discreetly, away from prying eyes.
The role of airships in modern military strategies
Airships and other lighter-than-air aircraft are becoming increasingly popular for their unique capabilities. Unlike satellites, they can remain stationary at altitudes of between 7,000 and 20,000 metres, providing stable platforms for surveillance sensors and communications relays. For example, China’s 75-metre-long Yuan Meng airship has demonstrated an endurance capacity of several months thanks to solar propulsion. This type of airship could theoretically replace low-orbit satellites for certain missions, providing continuous coverage of strategic areas.
The hangar extension could indicate that China is working on even larger and more sophisticated models, capable of carrying large payloads such as communications or surveillance systems over long distances without refuelling. The potential capabilities of these airships also include early detection of missiles and support for anti-satellite operations, areas in which China is actively investing.
Strategic consequences and global implications
The expansion of this hangar and the development of larger, more capable airships demonstrate China’s determination to strengthen its surveillance and defence capabilities. These aircraft could play a key role in regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, where continuous surveillance is crucial. In addition, the potential use of these airships for long-endurance missions makes them valuable tools for military intelligence.
This development is part of a wider global trend in which military forces are rediscovering the advantages of airships for specific missions. The United States, for example, has also been exploring the use of airships for missile surveillance and communications, although China appears to have taken a significant lead in this area.
The extension of the giant hangar in China reflects a sophisticated military strategy focused on the development of advanced airborne technologies. The ability to house and develop very large airships in this hangar reflects the growing importance of these aircraft in modern military operations. This development could have a significant impact on the balance of forces in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as globally, reinforcing the need for other nations to review their own airborne defence and surveillance capabilities.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.