The question of how many aircraft carriers China possesses points to a fundamental shift in the balance of naval power. For decades, the United States dominated the seas with its large-deck nuclear fleet, but the emergence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as a global blue-water force has altered the strategic landscape. Understanding the composition and capability of China’s carrier force is essential to grasping the future of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Current Inventory: The Numbers
As of late 2024, the PLAN operates three active aircraft carriers. This includes the two indigenously designed and built Type 003 Fujian-class vessels, alongside the retrofitted Soviet-era Liaoning. A fourth carrier, the Type 004, is widely expected to be under construction or in advanced planning stages, indicating a clear trajectory toward expansion. This brings the total number of commissioned and under-construction large deck vessels to a potential four, a significant evolution from the single-digit fleet of just a decade ago.
Liaoning: The Prototype
Originally commissioned by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the Liaoning was purchased incomplete by China in 1998 and underwent a lengthy refit and testing process. Serving primarily as a training and technology demonstrator, Liaoning allowed the PLA Navy to develop the critical skills required for flight operations, carrier navigation, and complex deck logistics. While it is now being repurposed for secondary roles, its historical significance as the platform that validated China's carrier ambitions cannot be overstated.
Shandong: The Indigenous Leap
Entering service in 2019, the Shandong represents the first domestically produced carrier and a major confidence booster for Chinese shipbuilding. Though outwardly similar to the Liaoning, internal systems and design refinements were upgraded based on the lessons learned from the prototype. Shandong serves as the workhorse of the fleet, conducting regular patrols and combat readiness drills in the South China Sea and Western Pacific, solidifying China’s status as a regional maritime power.
The Fujian-Class: A Technological Leap
Commissioned in 2022, the Fujian-class carrier represents a quantum leap in Chinese naval engineering. Unlike its predecessors, Fujian features an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) and a flat-top deck, mirroring the technology found on the US Gerald R. Ford-class. These advancements allow for the launch of a wider variety of aircraft, including heavier fixed-wing early warning planes, which drastically improve the fleet's detection and coordination range. This jump in capability suggests an ambition to challenge US carrier strike groups far from Chinese shores.
Strategic Goals and Future Projections
The driving force behind the carrier buildup is the pursuit of regional dominance and the protection of global trade routes. Chinese military strategists refer to the "Near Seas" (East and South China Seas) and the "Far Seas" (Western Pacific and Indian Ocean) as areas of critical interest. The possession of multiple carriers allows for the rotation of vessels, ensuring persistent presence without draining resources. Furthermore, the development of anti-ship ballistic missiles and submarine fleets creates a layered "anti-access/area denial" (A2/AD) strategy designed to keep adversaries at bay.
Looking Ahead: The Type 004
While the exact specifications of the upcoming Type 004 remain classified, analysts predict a significant increase in size and capability. Expected to exceed 100,000 tons, the fourth carrier will likely feature advanced arresting gear and possibly even a nuclear propulsion system. This next generation of carriers will enable the PLAN to project power globally, potentially engaging in power projection far beyond the traditional First Island Chain. The race to match the US Navy's 11-carrier fleet is a long-term strategic goal that defines China's maritime future.
