A video has surfaced on social media, showcasing Chinese mockup models of a wide range of military equipment, including India’s Prithvi ballistic missiles, American HIMARS and MLRS, Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems, Abrams tanks, F16 jets, and Taiwan’s MLRS. This comprehensive display of mockups reflects China’s strategic focus on simulating and potentially countering the capabilities of its perceived adversaries. China’s production of mockups extends beyond weapon systems to include infrastructure. The country has previously created mockups of US aircraft carriers to test its anti-ship ballistic missiles in real-world scenarios. In March 2024, satellite images revealed a replica of Taiwan’s Presidential office in China. A US Patriot launcher replica was also spotted in China a few days ago.
The purpose of these replicas extends beyond mere imitation; they serve strategic objectives aimed at enhancing China’s military capabilities and influence. By replicating foreign military equipment and infrastructure, China can conduct realistic training exercises, test its weapon systems against potential threats, and develop effective countermeasures.
Training and Simulation
Utilising mockups of enemy weaponry serves a crucial purpose in military training and simulation. These replicas provide soldiers with realistic scenarios for recognising, targeting, and engaging potential adversaries’ equipment within controlled environments. Such training is vital in preparing troops for real combat situations, ensuring their familiarity with enemy hardware’s appearance and operational characteristics. The use of simulated environments with these mockups allows for extensive training without the inherent risks and expenses associated with live-fire exercises. It also helps in refining tactics and strategies, enabling soldiers to respond more effectively during actual conflicts.
Testing Weapons Systems
Mockups are not only used for training but are also crucial for testing the effectiveness of Chinese weapons systems. By using these replicas in controlled testing environments, the military can assess how well their weapons perform against enemy equipment. This helps ensure that radar, infrared, and other detection systems accurately identify and lock onto targets, which is essential for validating targeting algorithms and improving their accuracy.
Tests involving mockups generate valuable data on sensor performance and weapon guidance systems. By analysing this data, military engineers can enhance the reliability and precision of these systems, ensuring they perform well under various conditions. When a weapon strikes a mockup, it provides a controlled environment for detailed impact and damage assessment. It allows for collecting data on how the weapon interacts with the target, measuring the extent of damage and understanding the physics of the impact. This information is vital for refining the design and effectiveness of the weapon.
Mockups in the Russia-Ukraine War
Mockups are not new to the world and have played a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war for different purposes. Both rivals have created and deployed replicas of their weapon systems to mislead each other about the actual positions of their forces. This tactic has proven effective in confusing the enemy and protecting valuable assets from targeted strikes.
Given the threat posed by loitering munitions to the survivability of howitzers, MLRS, and air defence systems, these replicas serve a vital function by causing the enemy to waste munitions on false targets. This deception reduces the likelihood of actual equipment being destroyed and maintains the operational readiness of key military assets.
Conclusion
China, Russia, and Ukraine’s strategic use of mockups, whether for training, testing, or deception, highlights the importance of these replicas in modern military strategy. As China continues to advance its capabilities by studying and simulating foreign military equipment, other nations must pay close attention to these tactics. China’s adversaries, such as India, the United States, and Taiwan, must remain vigilant and adopt similar strategies to maintain a competitive edge and ensure national security.
Vinay Sadham
