According to the US Department of Defence (DoD) the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has the largest navy in the world, surpassing the US Navy. DOD has released its ‘2020 China Military Power Report’.

The report is submitted to Congress annually. The Pentagon said: “The PRC has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants.

“In comparison, the US Navy’s battle force is approximately 293 ships as of early 2020.”

 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for China Chad Sbragia said that China was on course to expand its fleet to 360 vessels by the end of 2020.

The majority of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet is made up of ‘modern multi-role platforms’ that host anti-ship, anti-air and anti-submarine weapons and sensors, the report says.

As part of the PLAN’s modernisation efforts, it has embarked on a shipbuilding programme that includes submarines, surface combatants, amphibious warfare ships, aircraft carriers, and auxiliary ships as well as indigenous weapons, sensors and command and control systems.