"China Constructs Full-Scale USS Ford Replica for Military Drills"

Satellite images have revealed a mock-up of the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the Taklamakan Desert, China, which is presumed to be used for target practice to test China's missile capabilities. The images, captured by Planet Labs, show detailed replicas of the Ford-class carrier and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, indicating China's focus on enhancing its ability to counter US naval forces. The construction of these models aligns with China's reported increase in missile stockpiles, including the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles, known as "carrier killers." This development reflects ongoing tensions and the strategic military focus in the Indo-Pacific region.