15 years ago, France was the only country with a permanent military presence in Djibouti. Now France, Japan, Italy, the U.S., and China all have military installations in the East African nation. These countries have established bases in Djibouti to combat piracy, protect vital shipping lanes, fight terrorism, or improve force projection.
Below is a map of Djibouti City and the Balbala suburb with foreign military facilities marked with red numbers.
Camp Lemonnier
Marked with a red 1, and immediately adjacent to the international airport is Camp Lemonnier. This camp was once a base for the French Foreign Legion. It is now the largest permanent U.S. base in Africa. The base is home to fighter jets, transport aircraft, drones, and a large detachment of Special Forces. It houses almost 4,000 personnel.
Southwest of Camp Lemonnier is Chabelley Airfield, which has been home to a U.S. drone base since 2013. Both Camp Lemonnier and Chabelley Airfield are used as launching points for counter-terrorist missions into Somalia and other nearby countries. The U.S. intends to keep Camp Lemonnier active for at least the next 20 years.
Chinese Military Base
Only 7 miles away from Camp Lemonnier, and marked with a red 2, is China’s first overseas military base. The facility, which officially opened Aug. 1st, can house up to 10,000 personnel and has large underground storage spaces for storing fuel, munitions, and equipment. The base currently lacks an airfield or docks, although there are reportedly plans to construct docks soon. The purpose of the base is to support Chinese navy ships that pass through the region. The Chinese military also believes that the construction and upkeep of the base will help them gain useful experience in establishing future overseas military bases.
The base is adjacent to the recently opened Doraleh Multipurpose Port which was financed and constructed with Chinese help. Like the U.S., the Chinese plan to keep their Djibouti military facility active for at least the next 20 years.
Japanese Military Base
The Japanese Self Defense Force base, marked with a red 3, was built in 2011. Like Camp Lemonnier, it is also immediately adjacent to the international airport. The facility houses 180 personnel and a few maritime patrol planes. The purpose of the base is to provide aerial support for JSDF ships combating piracy in the region. The Japanese government may expand the base in the near future to accommodate additional planes.
French Military Bases
France’s air base 188 is marked by the red 4. Like the Japanese and U.S. bases, it is also immediately adjacent to the international airport. France has had a constant military presence in Djibouti since before the country became independent in 1977. The base houses a few transport planes and fighter jets, as well as a small number of helicopters.
Marked by a red 5 is the base for the 5th Combined Overseas Regiment. This French Army base is home to hundreds of soldiers and their vehicles. It is located in the Monclar neighborhood, not far from BA 188 and the international airport.
As part of the European Union and NATO’s counter-piracy mission, France allows other European troops to use its facilities. German and Spanish troops have been stationed at French bases in Djibouti.
Italian Military Base
The Italian base is not in Djibouti City, but located to the southeast of the capital, closer to the Somali border. The base was opened in 2013 to support Italian Navy activity in the region. Up to 300 personnel can be housed, but the facility currently only houses 80.
Future Bases
It is quite possible that Djibouti may end up hosting as many as eight different militaries. Many more countries are thinking about constructing their own bases in Djibouti due to its strategic location and accommodating government. Almost any nation will be allowed to station troops if it can pay tens of millions of dollars in rent. Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are all contemplating the placement of their own bases in Djibouti.
