Thayer Consultancy Background Brief

ABN # 65 648 097 123

Cambodia New Airport at Koh
Kong Under Construction
January 12, 2019


We request your assessment about the new airport being built in Koh Kong province by
China’s Union Development Group (UDG). We've heard a lot in the media about the
deep-water port in the same area, which some have speculated could be used as a
Chinese naval base, but much less about the airport. There are reports that construction
on the runway--which is set to be 3400 meters, the longest in the country--has
accelerated in the past month and is more than halfway complete.
What do these developments and reports mean from a security perspective and
whether the airport might have any features that indicate it may possibly be used by the
Chinese government. UDG's story is that this is all for tourism and that it might even
initiate direct flights between Koh Kong and the US--which seems improbable.
ANSWER: The construction of the Dara Sakor International Airport in Koh Kong
province is one of a number of Chinese funded large scale infrastructure projects in
Cambodia. Plans are being drawn up to construct what is touted as the world’s ninth
largest airport in Kandal province and a new international airport for Phnom Penh.
China’s Union Development Group (UDG) was given a ninety-nine year lease to
construct an up market tourist resort in Koh Kong and the airport is part of this
project. Construction began in June last year and UDG officials say the first runway
will be partially operational by the end of 2020.
The 3.4 kilometre runway will be able to handle Boeing 777 and Airbus A340 aircraft.
The Koh Kong runway can be compared to China’s three 3-km long runways
constructed on artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago (Fiery Cross, Mischief and
Subi reefs). These runways can handle all military aircraft presently operated by the
Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Navy and Air Force.
The Dara Sakor International Airport is located near the deep-water port at Koh
Kong. Cambodian officials have denied rumours that it will be a Chinese naval base.
This month three Chinese warships made a four-day visit to the port of Sihanoukville.
According to Cambodian defence officials, seventeen People’s Liberation Army Navy
(PLAN) warships have visited Cambodian “in recent year.” In 2016, Cambodia hosted
its first combined naval exercises with China.
Koh Kong’s deep-water port and the Dara Sakor airport could easily serve a dual-civil
military function at short notice. The three PLAN warships that visited Sihanoukville
could just have easily berthed in Koh Kong. Similarly, Chinese military aircraft that
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deploy to the airfields in the Spratlys could easily be re-refueled and deploy to Dara
Sakor airport.
The most likely contingency for the deployment of Chinese military ships and/or
aircraft would be to provide humanitarian assistance in the event of a major natural
disaster in the Gulf of Thailand. Or, to take another example, when the Malaysian
Airline MH370 disappeared flying over the Gulf of Thailand Cambodia was only able
to provide helicopters for the initial limited search. If another airline disaster occurs
with Chinese passengers, China could swiftly base its search and rescue operations in
Koh Kong province.
In the event of rising tensions or a crisis in the South China Sea and adjacent waters,
China could easily deploy warships and military aircraft to Cambodia. The defence
relations are so intimate that Cambodia would immediately comply with a Chinese
request.
Finally, Australian and allied intelligence agencies have assessed that China’s long-
term goal is to establish military ports across the Indo-Pacific region. These ports
could serve as access points for the extended rotation of PLAN ships or in the
fullness of time become permanent bases for the PLAN. As China completes its
massive infrastructure projects in Cambodia it will have the capacity to deploy. The
only variable is intent and this can change will little or no advance warning.
The bottom line: intelligence desk officers across the region will “watch the Koh
Kong space” intently.

Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, “Cambodia New Airport at Koh Kong Under
Construction,” Thayer Consultancy Background Brief, January 12, 2019. All
background briefs are posted on Scribd.com (search for Thayer). To remove yourself
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Thayer Consultancy provides political analysis of current regional security issues and
other research support to selected clients. Thayer Consultancy was officially
registered as a small business in Australia in 2002.