Ulan Uul West Airport

Military Conversion and Geopolitical Shift. The airport was not a civilian facility but a major Soviet Air Forces base, known historically as Zuunbayan Air Base. Its sole purpose was to support the large Soviet military garrison at Zuunbayan. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent withdrawal of all Russian troops from Mongolia, the airbase lost its strategic purpose and was abandoned. It was handed over to the Mongolian government, which had no economic or military need for such a large, remote facility.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. High-resolution satellite imagery shows the extensive layout of the former airbase is still clearly visible, but the infrastructure is derelict. The concrete runways, taxiways, and aprons are cracked, crumbling, and being slowly reclaimed by the Gobi Desert. The numerous hardened aircraft shelters stand empty and are deteriorating. There are no remaining intact buildings, and all military equipment and infrastructure were removed or scrapped decades ago. The site is unused and has no formal function.

The airport was one of the most significant Soviet forward operating bases in Asia during the Cold War. Its primary role was to project Soviet air power and provide air support for the Soviet 39th Army stationed in Mongolia, specifically the nearby 51st Tank Division. Its strategic location in the Gobi Desert placed it relatively close to the Chinese border, serving as a key asset during the period of Sino-Soviet tension. The base was heavily fortified, featuring multiple concrete runways, extensive taxiways, and a large number of hardened aircraft shelters (revetments), capable of hosting regiments of tactical aircraft. It is historically associated with housing fighter-bombers such as the MiG-27 and Su-17. The base was a critical logistical and operational hub, essential for maintaining the Soviet military presence in the region.

Effectively zero. There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The reasons include:
1. **Prohibitive Cost:** The entire infrastructure, including runways and all support facilities, would require a complete and astronomically expensive reconstruction.
2. **Lack of Demand:** The region is sparsely populated, and its limited civilian air transport needs are served by the newer Sainshand Airport (ZMSH/SAI), which is closer to the provincial capital.
3. **No Strategic Need:** There is no current military or strategic requirement for Mongolia or any other nation to reactivate a massive, remote airbase at this location.
The site remains a relic of the Cold War, with its future likely being one of continued decay.