Chinese Army drills simulate strikes on U.S. Patriot defenses and Humvees, U.S. think tank report says

China’s Army has been improving its ability to carry out simulated missile strikes against U.S. missile-defense systems and to attack U.S. ground vehicles, according to a U.S. Army think tank report cited by The Washington Times on Aug. 21, 2026.

The report describes Chinese military training that included live-fire missile strikes against mockups intended to represent Patriot anti-missile launchers. It says the drills were designed to build proficiency against missile-defense assets that would otherwise complicate strike operations.

The same assessment also says the Chinese Army is training to engage Humvees, again using mock vehicles to replicate U.S. ground equipment during exercises. In addition to the emphasis on missile-defense targets and ground vehicles, the report links the training to broader efforts to improve how Chinese forces conduct attack helicopter operations.

According to the account, the Chinese exercises reflect an effort to sharpen strike tactics in scenarios that resemble aspects of U.S. and allied deployments. While the drills were described at a conceptual level, the report’s central point is that Chinese units are practicing against representative air-defense components and at least one class of armored ground vehicle used by the U.S. Army.

The Washington Times report frames the training as part of a continuing pattern of Chinese military modernization and readiness work that focuses on closing gaps in capabilities relevant to high-end conflict. The emphasis on Patriot-like targets is particularly notable because Patriot systems are widely treated as a key layer of theater missile defense.

In response to such developments, U.S. officials have repeatedly highlighted the importance of the readiness of missile-defense forces and the resilience of ground units. However, the Washington Times report does not provide specific details on any changes to U.S. doctrine or deployments tied to the Chinese exercises described.

For now, the practical implication of the assessment is that Chinese forces are investing training time in missions meant to stress missile-defense systems and the survivability of ground equipment under attack. That can inform how U.S. planners and defense officials think about gaps, training scenarios, and resource allocation for air and ground defense tasks.

The think tank report and the reporting around it do not indicate whether the Chinese drills involved actual Patriot hardware or actual U.S. forces. The claim, as presented, is centered on training against mockups and representative targets, which are common in military preparation but still report what kinds of threats and systems Chinese units are prioritizing.