Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning
By 2035, the Chinese PLA Navy will likely be the biggest navy in the world.
Xinhua/Alamy

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • CNO Naval History - Professional
    • CNO Naval History - Rising
    • Naval Intelligence
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • U.S. Naval Institute Blog
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

China’s Navy Will Be the World’s Largest in 2035

By Rear Admiral Michael A. McDevitt, U.S. Navy (Retired)
February 2020
Proceedings
Need to Know
View Issue
Comments

It is difficult to appreciate just how fast China has been able to create a blue water navy. One way is to compare it to the other great navies of the world, as the chart below does. This comparison is not a top-to-bottom order of battle inventory in which every ship of every class is counted. Rather it is a comparison of the number of Chinese blue water warships to other nations that historically have demonstrated the ability to operate globally. The ship count totals are projected to the 2020-2021-time frame.

Premium Member-Only Content

Don't miss out. Become a member of the Naval Institute today.

Join Today

Already a member? Sign in to continue reading.

Sources for the chart above: DOD Annual Reports to Congress: Military and Security Developments on the PRC 2012, 2018, 2019, Janes Defense Weekly’s announcements of ship commissioning’s, IISS Strategic Balance 2018 and 2019 for all countries listed in the table, Websites for the Indian Navy, Royal Navy, French Navy, Rick Joe’s Diplomat series on the future of the PLA Navy, Ronald O’Rourke’s, semi-annual update of his Congressional Research Service report China Naval Modernization, Office of Naval Intelligence  (ONI) The Russian Navy 2015, and ONI’s The PLA Navy: New capabilities and Missions for the 21st Century.

Rear Admiral Michael A. McDevitt, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Rear Admiral McDevitt is a senior fellow with the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA). For some years, his research focus has been the maritime security issues along the Indo-Pacific littoral and the maritime dimension of China’s national strategy. During his Navy career, he held four at-sea commands; including an aircraft carrier battlegroup. He was the Director of the East Asia Policy office for the Secretary of Defense and also served as the Director for Strategy, War Plans, and Policy (J-5) for the U.S. Pacific Command. He concluded his 34-year active-duty career as the Commandant of the National War College in Washington, DC. 

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Related Articles

Xi Jinping
P China

PLA Navy Growth Not Slowed by COVID

By Captain James E. Fanell, U.S. Navy (Retired)
May 2022
Since January 2021, the Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated its continuing commitment to transform China into the world’s premier maritime power and to achieve its expansionist goals regionally.
The Chinese Type 054A frigate Yueyang.
P Featured Article

‘Ocean-Oriented Strength’ in a Time of Pandemic

By Captain James E. Fanell, U.S. Navy (Retired)
March 2021
A review of major PLAN developments in 2020.
Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong
P Special

Strike Groups with Chinese Characteristics

By Captain James E. Fanell, U.S. Navy (Retired)
March 2020
The People's Liberation Army Navy in 2019

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2022 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies