China is rapidly expanding high-altitude military infrastructure on the Tibetan plateau, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of 100+ satellite images.

Beijing has built or upgraded at least 16 airfields and heliports, many above 14,000 feet, with runways up to 14,850 feet long and over 70 hardened aircraft shelters under construction.

These “dual-use” airports host fighter jets, heavy transport aircraft, and multiple drone types, including Sharp Sword, Soaring Dragon, CH-4 and CH-5 drones.

The expansion gives China faster ability to surge troops and equipment along its contested border with India and maintain persistent intelligence coverage of the region’s terrain and Indian military sites.

Aircraft crews face extreme altitude challenges — sickness, oxygen shortages, and dangerous wind patterns — but China is investing heavily in specialized training for “Plateau Eagles” and increasing reliance on unmanned systems.