China has just made its already enormous airship hangar in a remote part of Xinjiang even bigger, adding a massive 300-foot extension. This hangar, one of the largest in the world, is linked to China’s ambitious plans for high-tech airships that could do everything from gathering intelligence to launching drones. New satellite images show the hangar now even more capable of housing enormous airships, hinting at China’s desire to develop giant, advanced airships for long-range operations. This expansion raises intriguing questions about China’s future military and surveillance capabilities.
In a remote part of northwestern China, a huge hangar has just gotten even bigger, with a new 300-foot-long addition. This hangar, one of the largest in the world, is crucial for China’s plans to develop advanced high-altitude airships. These airships could be used for spying, long-range communication, missile defense, or even launching drones.
But why expand such a massive hangar even more? This suggests China is planning to build even larger and more powerful airships. Located near Bosten Lake in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, the hangar was already enormous when it was first built between 2013 and 2015, stretching 1,150 feet long and 450 feet wide. For perspective, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier would have fit comfortably inside with extra space on either side.
Recent satellite images show the hangar extension under construction and reveal that it’s now complete. The new extension was visible as early as July 2024. Before this, in 2022, construction was already underway, indicating that China was preparing for a significant expansion of the entire site.
Nearby, a new multi-story building and a walled lot have appeared, likely housing administrative offices. This site is linked to China’s efforts in developing airships and other high-tech military projects.
A previous image from November 2022 showed a teardrop-shaped airship near the hangar, much smaller than the hangar itself. This suggests that the facility is not only used for existing airships but is also being prepared for much larger ones.
In addition to airships, the area is known for its links to advanced military technologies, including missile defense and space weaponry. It’s part of a broader complex near Korla, where other secretive military facilities are located.
The expansion of this hangar highlights China’s ambition to create even bigger and more capable airships. These airships could stay aloft for months or years, providing extensive surveillance, communication, and reconnaissance capabilities. They represent a growing trend in military technology, with China leading the way in this field.
China’s interest in airships is not just theoretical. Last year, a Chinese spy balloon caused an international incident when it entered U.S. airspace, drawing global attention. Other similar craft have been spotted over various regions, including the South China Sea and Taiwan, raising concerns about their potential uses for espionage or psychological operations.
Overall, the expansion of the hangar in Xinjiang signals China’s serious commitment to advancing airship technology and suggests even more impressive and powerful airships may be on the way.
