Enhanced Anti-Ship Capabilities
Recent satellite imagery has confirmed that China has constructed a full-scale replica of a United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer at its Ruoqiang Test Range in Xinjiang. Analysts suggest the installation is designed to sharpen the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force’s ability to target hostile maritime assets in potential future conflicts.
The facility features a six-metre-wide rail system, allowing the ship-sized target to be moved, effectively simulating a dynamic maritime environment for missile seeking and target acquisition testing. According to an analysis by AllSource, the presence of multiple sensors on and around the vessel targets indicates that the site is intended for long-term, multi-use military research.
Strategic Context
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is a cornerstone of the US Navy, serving as a primary platform for air defense and carrier strike group protection. The development of these mockups reflects a broader Chinese strategy to counter US naval superiority in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
This is not the first time such infrastructure has been identified. In 2021, similar satellite evidence revealed full-scale outlines of a US aircraft carrier and additional destroyers at a target range in the Taklamakan Desert. The US Naval Institute has noted that the complex is frequently utilized for ballistic missile testing, underscoring Beijing’s commitment to modernizing its anti-ship arsenal.