Abstract
In recent years, many international media outlets have reported and commented on the rapid expansion and modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), particularly regarding its astonishing shipbuilding speed. Reviewing the PLAN’s development in 2024, various types of warships are continuously being designed and constructed. For example, the third aircraft carrier, Fujian (Type 003, 18), is currently undergoing sea trials. Meanwhile, the construction and production of other vessels, such as the Type 055 destroyer, Type 052D destroyer, Type 054A frigate, Type 075 amphibious assault ship, Type 071 landing platform dock, Type 094 ballistic missile submarine, Type 095 attack submarine, and Type 039 diesel-electric submarine, continue to contribute to the enhancement of combat capabilities. Additionally, when examining the main shipbuilding bases for the PLAN, China has developed a formidable naval construction network. Each shipyard specializes in building different types of vessels it needs. Furthermore, the success of Chinese-built ships in international markets and the rapid development and modernization of China’s shipbuilding industry and technology have indeed contributed to China becoming one of the world’s leading naval shipbuilding nations.
Although the sheer number of ships is not the sole criterion for assessing naval strength, it reflects important factors such as the speed of shipbuilding, the capacity and capability of the shipbuilding industry, scientific and technological advancements, and the potential size and structure of the fleet. All of these are closely related to future U.S.-China strategic competition and the security of the Indo-Pacific region. China’s shipbuilding efforts may even spark a large-scale arms race in the region. Naval competition between the U.S. and China is expected to intensify and reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Keywords: People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Shipbuilding, Shipyard, Strategic Competition, Indo-Pacific