Report to Congress on China Naval Modernization

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | AUGUST 20, 2024 | U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE STAFF

[Retain Mike]

China’s military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, is the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting. China’s naval modernization effort has been underway for about 30 years, since the early to mid-1990s, and has transformed China’s navy into a much more modern and capable force. China’s navy is a formidable military force within China’s near-seas region, and it is conducting a growing number of operations in the broader waters of the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and waters around Europe.

China’s navy is, by far, the largest of any country in East Asia, and sometime between 2015 and 2020 it surpassed the U.S. Navy in numbers of battle force ships, meaning the types of ships that count toward the quoted size of the U.S. Navy. DOD states that China’s navy “is the largest navy in the world with a battle force of over 370 platforms, including major surface combatants, submarines, ocean-going amphibious ships, mine warfare ships, aircraft carriers, and fleet auxiliaries. Notably, this figure does not include approximately 60 HOUBEI-class patrol combatants that carry anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM). The… overall battle force [of China’s navy] is expected to grow to 395 ships by 2025 and 435 ships by 2030.” The U.S. Navy, by comparison, included 296 battle force ships as of August 12, 2024, and the Navy’s FY2025 budget submission projects that the Navy will include 294 battle force ships by the end of FY2030. U.S. military officials and other observers are expressing concern or alarm regarding the pace of China’s naval shipbuilding effort, the capacity of China’s shipbuilding industry compared with the capacity of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and trend lines regarding the relative sizes and capabilities of China’s navy and the U.S. Navy.

[oldbill]

Not to worry.
When Kamala becomes Commander in Chief the Chinese will cower in fear.

[PIF]

China has around 225 times the US shipbuilding capacity. So more boats and ships is a foregone conclusion.

[Organic Panic]

And a huge capacity to manufacture cheap ship sinking drones. Sure an Aegis system may take out a couple incoming drones. But 100s of cheap drones coming in from all directions. No way.

I am in the aircraft manufacturing business. Capacity anywhere is 90% less than it was pre chomo. I can’t imagine how it is in shipyards. I was thinking of going to work for Bath in Maine but the pay was ridiculous. Probably waiting for illegals to get their work permits (even though you’re suppose to be a US citizen.).

But chairman Mao brings us joy.

[clearcarbon]

"China’s navy is, by far, the largest of any country in East Asia, and sometime between 2015 and 2020 it surpassed the U.S. Navy in numbers of battle force ships"

They may have a bigger navy, but our trespassing foreign nationals are healthier and better fed per capita.