A US defense report claims that China now has the world’s largest naval fleet with approximately 350 vessels. The United States is still ahead on the technology side of warfare but China is becoming more capable closer to home. With tensions between the United States and China on a slippery slope, two weeks ago, the US destroyer John S. McCain sailed near the Parcel Islands in the South China Sea and was met and followed by ships and planes from China’s People’s Liberation Army. Over the past several years these kinds of routine navigations towards the South China Sea have become common by the United States. Last week, US carrier strike group, Ronald Reagan, made its way to the South China Sea for a purpose of “maritime security operation”, this is the third time this year they have gone to the South China Sea. Many of the ships in the People’s Liberation Army Navy are multi purpose vessels equipped with advanced anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine weaponry. While the Chinese may have more ships in their fleet, the United States outweighs them in tonnage. The Chinese navy has around 2 million tons, while the United States has around 4.6 million. The United States also is far ahead China with carrier-based air power.
With the United States Department of Defense claiming that China has the largest Navy that comes at a price. While China may have the largest Navy fleet, Navy fleet also includes small boats and cruisers. The United States has 11 active aircraft carriers around the world and the PLAN only has 2. While the PLAN may have over 300 vessels that comes at a pretty expensive price of having to have a oil supplies. The United States is capable of producing its own oil and gas, China does not have that luxury and they must import that supplies which is very costly. China is desperately trying to catch up with the US and recent reports claim that China is the largest shipbuilding country in the world. With the desperation to become a global superpower, China has some catching up to do if they want to take that military superpower spot.
The Democratic People’s Republic of China has always been a competitor for global superpower between the United States. Both militaries have batted heads on several occasions and with the United States suvalencing the South China Sea it creates even more tension between the two countries. China and the United States are both leading contenders for spreading globalization around the world and with both countries fighting for that top spot they are always trying to figure out ways to outdo one another.