Beijing / Washington — China’s rapid naval expansion has entered a new phase as it now operates three aircraft carriers — Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian — signaling a bold step toward challenging the long-standing maritime supremacy of the United States Navy.
The launch of the Type 003 Fujian, China’s first fully indigenous and most advanced carrier, represents a significant leap in technology and ambition. Equipped with electromagnetic catapults similar to those used on the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, the Fujian marks China’s transition from a regional to a potential global naval power.
China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, was a refitted Soviet vessel purchased from Ukraine in 1998. Its successor, the Shandong, launched in 2019, was the first domestically built carrier — a sign of China’s rapidly maturing shipbuilding and defense industries. Now, the Fujian represents the arrival of a modern, high-tech fleet that can rival the world’s most advanced naval systems.
In contrast, the United States Navy currently operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, forming the backbone of its global presence. However, analysts note that while the U.S. still maintains a qualitative and operational edge, China’s speed of modernization has dramatically narrowed the gap. —————————— Stealth and Airpower: Fifth and Sixth Generation Ambitions
A key element of China’s strategy is the integration of advanced aircraft into its carrier fleet. The J-15 “Flying Shark” remains the current workhorse, but the development of the stealthy J-35 (FC-31 variant) and potential sixth-generation fighters promises to enhance the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) aerial strike capability.
The U.S. Navy’s F-35C Lightning II, already in service aboard carriers like the USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, currently provides a clear edge in stealth, range, and networked warfare. Yet, with China’s stealth designs maturing rapidly, experts predict that by the early 2030s, the gap in naval aviation stealth technology may be minimal. —————————— Submarines and Fleet Strength
China’s undersea force is also expanding at a remarkable rate. The PLAN now operates an estimated 70 to 80 submarines, including nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines. The U.S. Navy maintains around 68 submarines, but nearly all are nuclear-powered, giving them superior endurance and stealth.
China’s latest Type 095 and Type 096 submarines, equipped with advanced sonar and quieting technologies, are designed to reduce this gap. Combined with modern destroyers (Type 055 Renhai-class) and cruisers, China’s navy is increasingly capable of sustained blue-water operations — something unthinkable two decades ago. —————————— Global Ambitions and Strategic Balance
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While the U.S. Navy remains unmatched in global reach, with bases and carrier strike groups positioned across multiple oceans, China’s growing presence in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and Africa’s Horn shows a clear intent to project power far from home waters.
Military analysts believe Beijing’s long-term goal is to match or exceed U.S. naval strength by the mid-21st century, leveraging technology, industrial scale, and an expanding global footprint.
With Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian leading the charge, China’s navy has transformed from a coastal defense force into a global contender. The U.S. Navy still holds the upper hand in experience, technology, and global logistics — but for the first time in modern history, its naval supremacy faces a serious and sustained challenge from a rapidly rising competitor.
By:Qaiser Bashir Makhdoom
Writer is a former DIG Police GB and Director FIA