China’s Desert Dungeons: Training Target Carriers
Scenic Setup in the Taklamakan
Picture this: deep in the dusty heart of Xinjiang, the Chinese military has rolled out little model versions of a massive U.S. aircraft carrier and a couple of sleek destroyers. The goal? To keep their crews sharp, no doubt. Satellite photos by Maxar on Sunday (Nov. 7) reveal these full‑scale outlines hanging off a new target range.
Why Build the Big Guys?
The “hippocampus of the desert” appears to be a training ground aimed at sharpening China’s anti‑carrier tactics. With tensions simmering over Taiwan and the South China Sea, a blend of humor and seriousness might hit home.
Engineering Details at a Glance
- US Carrier Prototype: A complete silhouette, some 65 m tall and spotlight‑grabber.
- Arleigh Burke‑class Destroyers: Two scaled‑down, war‑ready models flanks these carrier ambitions.
- Rail‑Trick: A six‑meter‑wide track that holds a full‑size ship‑like target, potentially to simulate jetty‑speed maneuvers.
What’s the Bottom Line?
It’s not just about flashy bulbous mockups; it’s about meaty strategic post‑uring. In a world where every big carrier is a potential blockbuster, building a target makes sense for the Chinese forces hoping to stay ahead in the old battle dance of naval dominance.
Satellite Snapshot: China’s Missle Playground in Ruoqiang
What’s Happening in the Desert?
A crisp satellite photo from Maxar Technologies (courtesy of Reuters) shows a mobile target set up in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang on Oct 20, 2021. This isn’t just a desert walk‑through—it’s the staging ground for China’s eyes‑on‑the‑world missile tests.
The Offshore Shuffle
According to the US Pentagon’s 2024 annual China military report, PLARF’s first confirmed live‑fire of the DF‑21ASBM occurred in July 2020—right over the South China Sea, north of the Spratly Islands. With territorial disputes hovering over Taiwan and four Southeast Asian nations, that launch stoked more than a few eyebrows.
Key takeaway: Even after that splash‑in‑the‑sea test, analysts say China’s ASBM tech is still a work in progress.
Experts Weigh In
Collin Koh, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, sounds off:“They’re still far from a perfect ASBM. The desert is a rehearsal arena—safe, discreet, but not fully realistic.”Koh also notes that states around the South China Sea might raise eyebrows if a nascent missile real‑drops near the shipping lanes.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meanwhile, pledged in July:“The U.S. will defend the Philippines if it comes under attack in the South China Sea.”He didn’t mince words about calling China’s “provocative behavior” into the ground.
Why This Matters to You
Let’s Wrap It Up
So, next time you scroll through your satellite feed, keep an eye on that little mobile target in Ruoqiang. Behind that unassuming desert dust lies a lab where China’s future ASBMs are being whipped up—an experiment that might shout louder on the stage of global politics than any fireworks display.
