In China’s Taklamakan Desert, military forces have constructed near-exact replicas of U.S. warships, fighter jets, and key infrastructure as part of extensive preparations for a potential conflict over Taiwan. Satellite imagery analyzed by defense experts reveals these detailed models, which serve as training targets and simulation grounds for missile strikes and tactical operations.

Among the most prominent replicas is a full-scale model of a U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, built despite the desert location being more than 2,700 kilometers inland from any coastline. Completed within six months, the mock destroyer features intricate components including a full mast and radar elements, enabling China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to conduct realistic missile attack drills. Similar models of fighter jets, naval bases, and government buildings further reflect Beijing’s focus on preparing for wartime scenarios involving Taiwan and potential intervention by the United States.

The replica fleet includes two mock-ups of the USS Gerald Ford, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, as well as multiple destroyer models positioned alongside a 37-kilometer railway system. This railway carries moving targets designed to mimic the movement of ships at sea, enhancing the PLA's fidelity in simulated combat conditions. Imagery shows visible damage to some of the replicas, suggesting they have been used for live-fire missile testing, a practice experts say demonstrates China’s credible long-range strike capabilities.

Alongside maritime targets, China has constructed models of U.S. fighter jets, including the F-22, F-16, and F-35 aircraft, along with mock runways bearing signs of missile strikes. These replicas aid in training air defense and attack units, particularly through the integration of artificial intelligence-guided systems.

In addition to Taiwan-specific infrastructure, China has also built replicas of the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan—the largest U.S. naval base in the region—which would likely be a strategic target in any conflict involving Taiwan. Satellite images depict missile impact craters near mock warships, indicating these models are integral in anti-access and aerial denial exercises. A replica of Taiwan’s Su’ao Naval Base, a strategically relevant but geographically challenging target due to its location behind mountain ranges, has also been used for live-fire tests.

Furthermore, China maintains at least two scaled representations of Taiwan’s Bo’ai Special Zone—the area encompassing the island’s government buildings in Taipei. These sites serve as rehearsal grounds for potential ground assaults on Taiwan’s political centers, supported by footage released in previous years showing PLA troops conducting urban combat drills against the presidential office mock-up.

Observers note that these training sites and destructive tests serve both operational and strategic messaging purposes. They underscore China’s preparation to challenge U.S. and allied forces, deter intervention from Japan and America, and pressure Taiwan. The buildup corresponds with increased defense spending and heightened military activity across the Indo-Pacific region, driven by concerns over China's expanding military capabilities.

U.S. defense officials have expressed concern over China’s military modernization and assertiveness. In May, the U.S. Secretary of Defense highlighted growing alarm across the region related to China's significant and historic military expansion.