- Satellite imagery shows China has built a replica of a US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
- The mock-up is reportedly located at the Ruoqiang Test Range in Xinjiang.
- Analysts believe the facility is being used to improve anti-ship missile testing and targeting capabilities.
NEW DELHI: The China US warship replica has drawn fresh attention to the intensifying military competition between Beijing and Washington. Newly released satellite imagery indicates that China has constructed a full-scale model of a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer at the Ruoqiang Test Range in Xinjiang, a facility long associated with missile testing.
The development is being viewed by defence analysts as part of China’s continuing efforts to improve its anti-ship warfare capabilities amid growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
China US Warship Replica Linked to Missile Testing
According to satellite analysis, the test complex includes a six-metre-wide rail system carrying a ship-sized target that experts believe can simulate a moving vessel during missile trials.
Analysts cited in reports said the site contains detailed mock-ups of multiple warships along with sensors positioned around the targets. These features suggest the facility is designed for repeated testing involving target acquisition, missile guidance and weapon accuracy.
The US Naval Institute has previously identified the Ruoqiang Test Range as a location associated with China’s ballistic missile testing programme.
Replica Highlights Focus on Anti-Ship Warfare
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is among the most important surface combatants in the US Navy. The vessels perform air defence, escort aircraft carriers and conduct long-range strike missions.
Reports indicate the Chinese replica is intended to support missile target practice and training as Beijing seeks to strengthen its capability to engage large naval platforms during potential future conflicts.
Analysts believe improvements in missile guidance and targeting could increase the effectiveness of China’s anti-ship missile systems if integrated into operational forces.
Strategic Implications for the Indo-Pacific
The latest satellite imagery is likely to reinforce concerns over the continuing military competition between China and the United States.
The US Navy’s Destroyer Squadron 15, based in Japan under the Seventh Fleet, regularly operates in the Indo-Pacific, where interactions with Chinese naval forces have become increasingly frequent.
If testing at the Ruoqiang facility leads to advances in missile accuracy and target-tracking technology, military experts believe it could increase operational risks for naval vessels operating in the region. The development also highlights the continued emphasis both countries are placing on preparing for potential high-intensity maritime conflict while strategic tensions persist.
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