OVERVIEW

Over the past two decades, the People’s Republic of China has aggressively pursued a naval modernization campaign in its quest to establish regional hegemony in Asia. Thus far, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has built up a respectable surface force of roughly 330 warships. Beijing has sought to improve vessel design in order to challenge anything the United States or allied nations have to offer. The PLAN's modernization has proved especially successful in regards to the development of anti-surface warfare, naval air defense, and force projection capabilities. 

• Commander: Shen Jinlong

• Personnel: 245,000 (Active)

• Vessels: 240 (Estimated)

• Airframes: 720 (Estimated)

PLATFORMS & VESSELS

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE SHIPS

DESTROYERS

FRIGATES

CORVETTES

SMALL BOATS

AUXILIARY SHIPS

SUBMARINES

TRAINING VESSELS

AIRFRAMES

INSTALLATIONS & FACILITIES

SOUTH SEA FLEET

ORGANIZATION