China is constructing exact replicas of U.S. warships, including destroyers and aircraft carriers, in the remote Taklamakan Desert for missile practice, according to new satellite images. These near-identical models allow Beijing to simulate attacks with a high degree of accuracy as it prepares for potential conflict.
Evidence first emerged in February of a 3D model of a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under construction in the desert. Three months later, the vessel appears near completion. The replica features many components of the U.S. original, including a full mast and radar technology. The models are located approximately 1,678 miles from any body of water, indicating their purpose is not for naval deployment but for weapons testing.
In addition to warships, China is also building replicas of fighter jets, naval bases, and Taiwanese presidential buildings. These mock-ups are being used to test the country's stockpile of long-range weapons and new AI systems, with experts suggesting a highly specific focus on potential adversaries. The complexity and scale of these preparations are considered unprecedented.
Experts suggest that the models are being used to test China's anti-ship ballistic missiles, including the YJ-21, YJ-17, and DF27, which have ranges capable of reaching Taiwan from inland launch sites. A 29-mile railway line transports moving targets on the models, mimicking ship movements at sea to provide an accurate test for missile crews. The training site also includes models of U.S. aircraft and mock runways, with some runways showing crater damage, and full-sized models of F-22, F-16, and F-35 aircraft.
Satellite imagery also shows a mock-up of the Yokosuka Naval Base, a key U.S. naval installation in Japan, and Taiwan's Su'ao Naval Base. These models are believed to be part of anti-access and area denial drills. Live-fire tests have reportedly occurred at the Su'ao Naval Base replica, where a missile hit a pier and destroyed a target model likely used for calibrating missile seekers.
Beyond military drills, experts believe these elaborate mock-ups serve as a significant message to potential adversaries. Thomas Shugart, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, stated that the constructions send messages to Japan and the U.S. regarding intervention in Taiwan and signal to Taiwan that China is practicing to take its capital. Nations in the Indo-Pacific region have been increasing their defense budgets in response to China's military buildup and expanding activities.