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Key Points: The U.S. Department of Defense’s 2024 report to Congress highlights China’s rapidly growing naval power. With a battle force exceeding 370 ships and plans for six carriers by the 2030s, China’s navy, the PLAN, now leads the world in size.

-Beijing’s efforts include advanced aircraft carriers like the Type 003 Fujian and a modernized submarine fleet expected to reach 80 units by 2035, featuring its first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent.

-The PLAN is expanding operations beyond the South China Sea into the Indo-Pacific and global waters, signaling significant challenges for U.S. and allied forces in maintaining regional stability.

China’s Navy Is Growing Fast: The U.S. Navy Is Concerned 

On Wednesday, the United States Department of Defense released its unclassified version of the “Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China 2024” report. The annual report to Congress, pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act, is released in both a classified and unclassified form. It addresses the current and probable future course of Beijing’s military technology and development.

It highlighted the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) build-up, which should be seen as a serious concern for lawmakers as the United States Navy struggles to produce and maintain its fleet.

“Numerically, the PRC has the largest navy in the world with a battle force of over 370 ships and submarines, including over 140 major surface combatants. The PLAN is largely composed of modern multi-mission ships and submarines,” stated the report to lawmakers.

Aircraft Carrier Capabilities Increasing

China has made no secret of its aircraft carrier ambitions and has set a goal of having at least six carriers in service by the mid-2030s – and there has been speculation that could include nuclear-powered flattops.

“The PLAN operates two moderate-capability ‘ski-jump’ aircraft carriers based on an old Soviet design,” the report added. “While limited compared to U.S. aircraft carriers, the two KUZNETSOV variants (CV-16 and CV-17) provide the PRC with substantially more sea-based air power than any other country in the region.”

China launched its first carrier the Type 003 Fujian (CV-18) in June 2022, and the ship began sea trials earlier this year. As previously reported, there has been speculation Fujian – the first truly indigenously designed Chinese aircraft carrier – has begun recovery tests with aircraft, while it could soon test its electromagnetic catapult launch system. The Type 003 Fujian is the only carrier other than the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered supercarriers to employ such technology.

SSBN China Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

“This design enables it to support additional fighter aircraft, fixed-wing early-warning aircraft, and more rapid flight operations, thus extending the reach and effectiveness of the PRC’s carrier-based strike aircraft. CV-18 is expected to be operational in the first half of 2025, with additional carriers to follow,” the DoD explained. “The PLAN operates and is developing aircraft to operate from its carriers and combatants. In addition to the standard J-15 fighter that operates from PLAN carriers, a catapult-capable J-15 variant, is in development. The aircraft is testing from land-based steam and electromagnetic catapults.”

PLAN Into the South China Sea and Beyond

Beijing has made no secret that it views the South China Sea as its sovereign territorial waters, and the PLAN’s expansion is part of the efforts to maintain control of the mineral-rich waters and further into the Indo-Pacific.

This has included violating the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of other nations in the region, and even throughout the wider Indo-Pacific.

“The PRC has long challenged foreign military activities in its territorial seas and EEZ in a manner inconsistent with customary international law in the UNCLOS. However, in recent years, the PLA has begun conducting the same types of military activities inside and outside the FIC [First Island Chain] in the EEZs of other countries, including the United States. This activity highlights the PRC’s double standard in the application of its interpretation of international law,” the Pentagon report stressed to lawmakers.

It further highlighted that Chinese survey ships remain active in the South China Sea, “frequently operating in the claimed EEZs of other nations in the region, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.”

China Type 002 Aircraft Carrier. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

China Type 002 Aircraft Carrier. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The report also explained that “The PLAN continues to develop into a global force, gradually extending its operational reach beyond East Asia into a sustained ability to operate at increasingly longer ranges, including a continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden.”

PLAN on Track to be a Submarine Powerhouse

The DoD report to Congress also addressed Beijing’s efforts to modernize its submarine force significantly, which should be seen to pose a serious threat to the U.S. Navy as well as its allies and partners.

“Its force structure continues to grow modestly as it matures its force, integrates new technologies, and expands its shipyards. The PLAN operates six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN), and 48 diesel-powered/air-independent powered attack submarines (SS). Despite the ongoing retirement of older hulls, the PLAN’s submarine force is expected to grow to 65 units by 2025 and 80 units by 2035 due to an expansion of submarine construction capacity.”

Also of note was how Beijing’s “six operational JIN-class SSBNs represent the PRC’s first credible sea-based nuclear deterrent.”

Chinese nuclear missile submarines. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Chinese nuclear missile submarines. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Numbers and More

In just a few decades, the PLAN has transformed from at best a green water navy to one with true blue water capabilities.

The Pentagon further stated, “The PLAN’s ability to perform missions beyond the FIC is modest but growing as it gains more experience operating in distant waters and acquires larger and more advanced platforms.”

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Senior Editor focusing on defense issues for 19FortyFive. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,500 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on X: @PeterSuciu – and on Bluesky: @petersuciu.bsky.social.