China built mockups US aircraft carriers to prepare for future naval strike, increasing Washington’s concern over Beijing’s military buildup. 

Maxar Technologies in Colorado captured satellite images on Sunday that show China making mock-ups, including one of its Navy aircraft carriers and at least one destroyer. 

Maxar recognized the feature location as Ruoqiang in northwestern Xinjiang.

China has increased its military capacity and ambitions in recent decades. As tensions in America rise over South China Sea and Taiwan as well as military supremacy throughout the Indo-Pacific, it is becoming increasingly alarming to the United States. 

China has built mock-ups of US aircraft carriers (pictured) in the country's northwestern desert, possibly in preparation for future naval strikes

China may have built mock-ups (pictured) of US aircraft carriers in China’s northern desert to prepare for possible future naval raids

China has built a copy of a US naval aircraft carrier (pictured, the USS Gerald R. Ford), constructed in 2017 and then-America's first new aircraft carrier design for 40 years

China built an exact replica of the US Naval Aircraft Carrier (pictured: The USS Gerald R. Ford). This was China’s first aircraft carrier design in 40 years.

Satellite images captured by Colorado-based satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies dated Sunday show China has built a mock-up of a US destroyed in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang

Satellite images captured by Colorado-based satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies dated Sunday show China has built a mock-up of a US destroyed in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang

China has copied the US's guided-missile destroyer (pictured, the USS Arleigh Burke) amid an ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington

China copied the US guided missile destroyer (pictured: the USS Arleigh Burke), amid ongoing tensions between Beijing & Washington

According to the US Naval Institute, mock-ups were made of US ships as part of the new target range created by People’s Liberation Army.

The images did not show how many details were included in the targets. However, USNI claimed it identified several features including funnels and weapon systems on the destroyer.

China’s huge military upgrades have emphasized the need to combat US and foreign naval forces.

This has led to the creation of air, sea, and land-launched missiles that can block access or sink enemy vessels. The most prominent example is the land-based DF-21D missile, also known as the carrier killer’.

The number of Chinese military planes flying southwest from Taiwan has increased significantly in recent months. This is the island nation that Beijing claims as its own and threatens to annexe. 

Washington provides Taiwan with much of its weaponry and US law requires that it ensures the island can defend itself and to treat threats to it as matters of ‘grave concern.’

Beijing has constructed a mobile target in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang, satellite images dated Sunday show

Beijing has constructed a mobile target in Ruoqiang, Xinjiang, satellite images dated Sunday show

China has constructed at least one destroyer target amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington over the South China Sea, Taiwan and military supremacy in the Indo-Pacific

China is building at least one target destroyer amid tensions between Beijing, Washington and Taiwan over South China Sea, Taiwanese military superiority and Indo-Pacific military dominance.

The independent US Naval Institute said on its website that the mock-ups of US ships (pictured, a rail terminus and target storage) were part of a new target range developed by the People's Liberation Army

According to the US Naval Institute, the mockups were made by US shipbuilders (pictured at a railway terminus and target storage). This was part of a new range of targets created by People’s Liberation Army.

The images released by Maxar come amid growing concerns over the possibility of military conflict between China and the US, who are at odds over a litany of political and economic issues

Maxar released these images amid rising concerns regarding the possibility of military conflicts between China and America. The two countries are currently at odds over many political, economic and other issues.

Maxar released these images amid rising concerns regarding the possibility of military conflicts between two of the largest economies of the world. The conflict is a result of a variety of economic and political issues.

Recently, the Pentagon published a report this month claiming that China is growing its nuclear forces much faster than US officials anticipated just one year ago. 

According to the report of nearly 200 pages, this appears to be a plan to make Beijing rival or even surpass US in global power by midcentury.

China said that they ‘continued their efforts to develop its overall development’ despite challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Beijing had been able to stabilize its economy, increase its armed forces and play an ‘influentialer role in global affairs.  

Responding to the report, James Inhofe, a Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member, said the US was in ‘the most endangered position our country has ever been in terms of what is demonstrating, clearly, what they have the capability of doing.’

Meanwhile Representative Mike Rogers, a ranking member of the House Armed Services committee, warned the US military needs to modernise to counter China.  

The report contained details which have been ‘evident for some while – China poses an imminent and real threat’, he stated. 

He said, “Kicking the can down for our military modernization is not an option.”

General Mark Milley was chairman of joint chiefs. 

They [China]These people are clearly challenging the United States in their region, and have aspirations to do so globally. 

US officials in defense have stated they are becoming more wary about China’s intentions, especially with respect to Taiwan.

“The PLA continues to grow in its capabilities and develop new concepts.” [China’s]Ability to fight and win against a strong enemy – this is a possible euphemism that could be used for the United States.

China’s coast guard and navy are increasing their number of ships at an unprecedented rate. They have concentrated them in the South China Sea. This is the strategically important waterway China holds almost in its entirety.

The US Navy is still the dominant force, but its resources are split between the Indo-Pacific and the Persian Gulf regions, as well as other areas where American interests are. 

China has been considered the US’s top defence threat since 2018 and last month’s test of a hypersonic weapon capable of partially orbiting Earth before reentering the atmosphere and gliding on a manoeuvrable path to its target has added to top US military leaders’ concerns. 

China is thought to have carried out two tests of a hypersonic orbital nuke - the first on July 27 and the second on August 13 this year. Observers believe the 'weapon' is an updated version of a Soviet concept called a 'Fractional Orbital Bombardment System', or FOBS

China may have conducted two hypersonic orbital nuclear nuke tests – one on July 27, and another on August 13, this year. According to observers, the weapon is an upgraded version of a Soviet concept known as a “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System”, or FOBS.

China launched the dummy weapon into space on board a Long March 2C rocket (pictured) during a test in mid-August which it did not disclose at the time and was only revealed at the weekend by security analysts assigned to work out its purpose

China’s dummy weapon was launched into space by a Long March 2C Rocket (pictured). It was part of a mid-August test that China did not reveal at the time. The information was finally revealed this weekend by the security experts who had been assigned to determine its purpose.

Beijing said it was testing a spacecraft that could be used to carry out a mission, and not a weapon, however, its design will allow the system to pass through US missile defenses.

General Milley stated that the test was “very close” to being a Sputnik Moment, similar to the launch by the Soviet Union in 1957 of the first satellite orbiting the earth. This fueled fears that the United States has fallen technologically behind.

The test was a sign that China has broader military capabilities, he said.  

This is after two new, massive missile silo sites were discovered in China’s remote desert areas in July.

Experts think the first silos, located near Yumen, will soon house 120 while the second one, close to Hami will hold 110. Twelve more silos are being built near Jilantai. Older sites are also being renovated.

Every silo can hold a nuclear missile. If China makes all its missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, each one will be able to transport up to 12.

This means that China could theoretically increase its nuclear arsenal to 875 warheads.

Pictured: China launches the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft on October 16, carried on the Long March-2F carrier rocket, to Chinese Tiangong space station

Pictured: China launched the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft in October 2016. It was carried aboard the Long March-2F rocket to the Chinese Tiangong station.

China’s current nuclear threat relies heavily on its mobile roads-based launchpads, as well as nuclear-capable warplanes. The addition of hundreds of silos represents a significant shift in China’s nuclear strategy. China has also four nuclear-armed submarines. 

Beijing is using the hardware to assert a stronger stance in Pacific. Beijing controls Hong Kong, threatens Taiwan and claims a few uninhabited South China Sea islands it has built military bases.

The Philippines has been claiming a variety of islands that are disputed by it, causing tensions between the Philippines and other regional power like Vietnam, Malaysia, and other countries. 

Similar dispute are ongoing in the East China Sea around Japan’s islands. 

General Milley said: ‘Today [China]Their capabilities include cyber and space as well as land, water, air, and undersea. They are clearly challenging us in the region. 

“So here we have an example of a country becoming extremely powerful and wanting to alter the international order to its advantage. 

That’s going be a huge challenge for the next decade. The next 10-20 years. It’s going be a significant milestone for America.

China, the US and Russia are engaged in a global arms race that now includes the development of hypersonic missile technology. Here, the MailOnline has compared (from left) each country's main nuclear weapon, the latest hypersonic technology they have tested, their most up-to-date aircraft carriers, main battle tanks, and cutting-edge jets

The US, Russia and China are all involved in an arms race which now involves the development hypersonic missile technology. The MailOnline compares (left to right) the main nuclear weapons of each country, as well as the most recent hypersonic technology that they tested. They also list their latest aircraft carriers and main battle tanks. And, finally, their cutting-edge jets.