Amidst ever rising South China Sea tensions, we compare the formidable naval capabilities of the US and China, based on the 2024 Global Firepower Index.
21-Jan-2024
21-Jan-2024
fleet strength
US Navy with 472 warships ranks 4th, while China's 730 ships place it 2nd. A notable edge for China in fleet strength comparison.
aircraft carriers
US Navy leads with 11 aircraft carriers, ranking 1st. China follows with 2 carriers, ranked 2nd, but significantly trails in numbers.
helo carriers
US Navy tops with 11 helicopter carriers, ranked 1st. Chinese Navy holds 3, ranking 3rd. A clear advantage for the US in this class.
submarines
US Navy has 64 submarines, ranking 2nd worldwide, while the Chinese Navy's 61 submarines place it 3rd. A narrow gap in underwater strength.
destroyers
US Navy leads with 75 destroyers, ranking 1st globally. Chinese Navy, with 49, holds 2nd place. A distinct advantage for the US.
FRIGATES
US Navy has no frigates, ranking 145th globally. In contrast, Chinese Navy leads with 42 frigates, ranked 1st, showing a clear edge.
corvettes
US Navy with 23 corvettes ranks 4th, while Chinese Navy's 72 corvettes place it 2nd. The US trails China in corvette numbers.
patrol vessels
US Navy ranks 56th with 5 patrol vessels, while China's 150 place it 5th globally, highlighting the bulk of China's naval fleet.
mine warfare
US Navy with 8 mine warfare ships ranks 14th, while China's 36 ships place it 2nd, showing China's lead in this category.
merchant marine
US has 1815 Merchant Marine vessels, ranking 11th, while China leads with 7362 vessels, securing 3rd place globally.