Chinese Carrier Explosion: 3 PLA Carriers At Sea at Once

By Kris Osborn, President, Warrior

Earlier in 2024, the People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLAN), for the first time, had three aircraft carriers on the ocean, as its 3rd and most recent carrier, the Fujian, underwent sea trials. 

The PLAN’s first two carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, have operated together multiple times to display dual-carrier operations capability. 

The arrival of the Fujian introduces the broader question of China’s overall carrier fleet and what the PLAN may need to emerge as a singular dominant global power in the coming years. 

Will the PLAN need to rival the U.S. Navy in carrier fleet size to become a dominant global force truly? 

What Does China Want In An Aircraft Carrier Fleet? 

The Chinese seek to expand beyond being a dominant Pacific power and project global influence as a leading world power in a position to rival the United States Navy with 11 carriers. 

There are two clear yet contradictory elements to this; in one sense, China is far from being able to maintain a global presence in any way comparable to the US. 

And yet, China is adding new shipyards and building carriers and warships at a staggering pace.