China upgrades Djibouti military base with new communication facilities

A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that China has upgraded its military base in Djibouti with new communication facilities. Satellite imagery shows that since mid-2024, two new communication compounds have appeared at the site, featuring high-frequency antennas, satellite communication dishes, and potential 5G arrays.

These upgrades are expected to enhance China's ability to monitor military activity and strengthen command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities across the Middle East and Africa. The facilities could allow for improved communication between Chinese forces in the region and headquarters in China, as well as potential signal interception and direction finding.

The Djibouti base, which opened in 2017, serves as a critical naval logistics hub near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime choke point. The report notes that increased regional conflicts involving Iran, the Houthis, and US naval operations have heightened the intelligence value of this location. The base is situated within 16 kilometers of facilities operated by the United States, France, Italy, and Japan.