China Races Ahead in Naval Shipbuilding, U.S. and Allies Eye Growing Threat

China's rapid naval expansion has caught the attention of defense experts, who warn it could lead to greater regional tensions. The country is building a variety of advanced ships at record speeds, outpacing other nations and raising questions about its strategic intentions and potential conflicts.

China's naval shipbuilding is advancing at an unprecedented rate, surpassing efforts by any other country. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has already grown larger than the U.S. Navy based solely on the number of naval hulls. While this is not a comprehensive measure of capability, it underscores the rapid expansion of the PLAN.

Thomas Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow for the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, highlighted concerns about China's coercive tactics during a Brookings Institute webinar. Using satellite images, Shugart detailed China's impressive shipbuilding capabilities, revealing multiple new submarines and surface combatants under construction at various shipyards.

China's dual civilian and naval shipbuilding efforts are supported partly by Western companies, enhancing its shipbuilding efficiency. Meanwhile, Emma Salisbury from the Council on Geostrategy noted the scale of simultaneous ship construction, marking China as a formidable blue-water navy. The strategic context suggests that China aims to match or exceed the military capabilities of world powers by 2049.

(With inputs from agencies.)