China's 'patriot' mystery: Imitation missile sparks controversy

The Bulgarian Military portal reports that the appearance of a truck in China carrying a weapon resembling the American MIM-104 Patriot missile system has sparked speculation online about whether the Chinese have acquired American technology. However, analysts suggest that the gun is a well-made replica.

Bulgarian Military notes that there have already been reports in the media suggesting that the Russians may have handed over Ukraine-captured weapons to Beijing. At first glance, it may seem that the American Patriot system was founded in China.

However, none of the three parties – the Russian, Ukrainian, or Chinese authorities – have confirmed this thesis. Moreover, the Russian Federation previously claimed to have destroyed at least two Patriots but did not boast of capturing this weapon. There was also no evidence to confirm the presence of the American Patriot in the Russian army.

Therefore, it is even more surprising that equipment visually resembling the missile above the system has been spotted in China. However, as analyst Ryan McBeth noted, the transported "Patriot" is likely not an actual weapon but a well-prepared replica.

The only evidence that would confirm the presence of the American Patriot in China is a single photo published on social media. McBeth examined it and pointed out several inconsistencies compared to the real Patriot – as we read.

First and foremost, the most significant difference concerns the wheels. The "weapon" transported by the Chinese has twin wheels on the rear axle, meaning four wheels, which is twice as many as the original equipment.

According to McBeth, the differences compared to the real Patriot also include the rear lights, which are entirely different from those seen in all versions of the missile system from the USA. There are also significant deficiencies in the machine's wiring. The transport structure in China lacks wires where they should be located. There are also no places for their connection. Graphic discrepancies in the Chinese "Patriot" are also published by the Parabellum profile on platform X.

The reports suggesting that the Chinese have acquired an original American Patriot are even more doubtful, considering the actions undertaken by the local army in recent years. Most notably, the Chinese army constructed a mock-up of the most significant American aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, in the desert in China. It is also known that the Chinese army has previously built mock-ups of other naval units—Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Why, then, does Beijing use such mock-ups? Bulgarian Military explains that this tactic is used primarily for conducting exercises. An accurately simulated weapon of a potential adversary can be tested, for example, in the context of detection by allied systems (including equipment silhouette recognition), so even a non-functional Patriot has its use—it will serve the army for training purposes.