It is no secret that China has been on the rise in terms of military power and geopolitical strength. Expanding its power through the South China Sea and even further, China’s dominance of the region has only risen as its naval fleet and air force have reached incredible heights. The People’s Liberation Army has solidified itself as a military superpower. (These are the strongest militaries in Asia.)
While the United States is considered the preeminent military power, due in part to its navy and air force, China is on the rise. Over the past decade, China’s military might has increased exponentially especially in terms of its navy.
Here 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at China’s navy and what makes it so formidable. To identify the ships and submarines of the People’s Liberation Army, 24/7 Wall St. referenced the military data site World Directory of Modern Military Warships’ directory of all active ships in China. The ship and submarine classes are ranked in order of the number of vessels currently in active use by the navy, according to WDMMW. Any ships on order were excluded, as are smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary/survey ships, replenishment, and historical ceremonial types.
With a median hull age of just over 13 years, China’s Navy controls a military force consisting of relatively newer vessels. According to WDMMW, the country has produced the equivalent of a Royal Navy fleet each year, all toward its goal of overtaking the U.S. in naval power.
Each of these vessels serve to expand China’s naval power throughout the region, and then even further. (This is every aircraft used by the Chinese air force.)
Here is a look at the most common ships and submarines in China’s Navy:
21. Jianghu-class
- Type: Frigate
- Number of vessels: 5
20. Houjian-class
- Type: Offshore patrol vessel
- Number of vessels: 6 (tied)
19. Jin-class
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 6 (tied)
18. Luyang II-class
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Destroyer
- Number of vessels: 6 (tied)
17. Shang-class
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 6 (tied)
16. Wozang-class
Source: Wosang Class by hugh llewelyn / BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)
- Type: Mine warfare
- Number of vessels: 6 (tied)
15. Yuzhao-class
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Amphibious assault
- Number of vessels: 8
14. Type 010-class
- Type: Mine warfare
- Number of vessels: 10
13. Kilo-class
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 12 (tied)
12. Song-class
Source: 164925283@N02 / Flickr
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 12 (tied)
11. Ming-class
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 14 (tied)
10. Type 081-class
- Type: Mine warfare
- Number of vessels: 14 (tied)
9. Houxin-class
- Type: Offshore patrol vessel
- Number of vessels: 16 (tied)
8. Type 082-class
Source: usnavy / Flickr
- Type: Mine warfare
- Number of vessels: 16 (tied)
7. Shanghai III-class
- Type: Offshore patrol vessel
- Number of vessels: 17
6. Yuan-class
- Type: Submarine
- Number of vessels: 18
5. Luyang III-class
- Type: Destroyer
- Number of vessels: 22
4. Haiqing-class
- Type: Offshore patrol vessel
- Number of vessels: 26
3. Jiangkai II-class
- Type: Frigate
- Number of vessels: 39
2. Houbei-class
- Type: Offshore patrol vessel
- Number of vessels: 60
1. Jiangdao-class
- Type: Corvette
- Number of vessels: 71
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.