New satellite imagery shows China has built mock targets of F-35s, F-16s, Patriot air defenses and Japan's E-767 AWACS at a freshly paved desert range near Lop Nur.

New satellite imagery shows China has built mock targets of F-35s, F-16s, Patriot air defenses and Japan's E-767 AWACS at a freshly paved desert range near Lop Nur.

The E-767 stands out.

Only Japan operates it (four aircraft in total), making it an express Taiwan/Japan repeat destination.

China has been building increasingly sophisticated US/Japanese military models in the Xinjiang deserts since 2021 for live fire practice and missile calibration.

But the addition of Patriot battery models and Japanese-specific assets shows expanding target sets.

Source: Brady Africk