US Department of Defense on Wednesday released a special report on China’ Military capabilities.
- The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has numerically the largest navy in the world with an overall battle force of approximately 355 ships and submarines, including approximately more than 145 major surface combatants.
PLAN
Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has the largest naval fleet in the world, with about 355 warships and submarines. PLAN is composed of about 145 major surface combatants such as Type-55 destroyers, Type-54A frigates and Type-52 frigates. PLAN is focused on constructing multi-role platforms to perform different tasks such as Anti-surface, anti-submarine.
According to DoD reports, “The PLAN’s overall battle force is expected to grow to 420 ships by 2025 and 460 ships by 2030”.
PLAN submarine force consists up of:
- Six (6) nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs),
- Six (6) nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs),
- Forty Six (46) diesel-powered attack submarines (SSs)
PLAN consists up of three (3) theater commands including Southern, Northern and eastern.
Northern Theater Command:
Northern Theater command is based at Qingdao. By area of responsibility, it is the smallest theater command of PLAN.
- 1 Aircraft Carrier
- 4 Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines
- 14 Diesel Powered Attack Submarines
- 2 Cruisers
- 11 Destroyers
- 12 Frigates
- 12 Corvettes
- 2 Tank Landing Ships
- 3 Medium Landing Ships
- 15 Missile Patrol Crafts
Eastern Theater Command:
Eastern Theater Command is based at Ningbo.
- 18 Diesel Powered Attack Submarines
- 13 Destroyers
- 23 Frigates
- 24 Corvettes
- 3 Amphibious Transport Docks
- 16 Tank Landing Ships
- 5 Medium Landing Ships
- 38 Missile Patrol Crafts
Southern Theater Command:
Southern Theater Command is based at Zhanjiang.
- 1 Aircraft Carrier
- 6 Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines
- 2 Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines
- 14 Diesel Powered Attack Submarines
- 10 Destroyers
- 14 Frigates
- 20 Corvettes
- 5 Amphibious Transport Docks
- 10 Tank Landing Ships
- 8 Medium Landing Ships
- 14 Missile Patrol Crafts
