Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy that the Chinese Navy is larger than the U.S. Navy and potentially surpasses the U.S. in some categories of naval military strength.
“Today, the People’s Liberation Army Navy is the largest fleet in the world, with around 350 ships. For the first time since the defeat of the Soviet Union, we have a strategic competitor with naval capabilities and capacities that rival, and in some areas, surpass, our own,” Del Toro said, according to a transcript of his remarks.
Del Toro specified China’s advancements in cyber capabilities, air-defenses and often talked about weapons ability such as anti-satellite capabilities, anti-ship missiles and new integrated air defenses.
Could the PLA Navy Outmatch U.S. Navy?
While many details about just how advanced China’s weapons are, and how many of them are operational in sufficient numbers are likely not available, many may wonder if the PLA Navy could, in fact, outmatch the U.S. Navy.
“Our job is to preserve the peace by making sure the People’s Republic of China doesn’t gain military leverage over the United States, or our allies and partners,” Del Toro explained.
