China’s Swift Warship Construction Techniques Gain Notoriety in US Marine Competition

September 3, 2025

China Surpasses US in Naval Fleet Size, Accelerates Military Shipbuilding

A Chinese aircraft carrier is seen entering the sea from a shipyard in Dalian.

Beijing is rapidly expanding its naval capabilities,now possessing the world’s largest fleet with 234 warships,exceeding the 219 ships operated by the United States Navy. This growth is driven by a concerted effort to modernize the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), leveraging both commercial and military shipyards through a strategy termed “civil-military fusion,” championed by President Xi Jinping.

‘Civil-Military Fusion’ Drives Rapid Production

The Chinese government has implemented a system were commercial production facilities can be swiftly converted to build warships when needed, facilitating a surge in shipbuilding capacity. This approach enables a substantially accelerated production rate, ensuring continuous support for the Chinese military. Military and civilian shipyards are already working in tandem, notably in cities like Dalian.

Comparative Naval Strengths

While China now leads in the sheer number of ships, the United States retains advantages in key areas. The US Navy operates more aircraft carriers and a more advanced submarine fleet,both in terms of range and armament. Many Chinese submarines are designed for operations in the shallow waters of the South China Sea,limiting their operational scope.

Feature	China (PLAN)	united states Navy
Total Warships	234	219
Aircraft Carriers	Fewer	More
Submarines	More (primarily shallow-water)	More advanced, longer range

New Technologies and Expansion of facilities

China is actively closing the technological gap with the growth of new systems, including a new generation of unmanned underwater vehicles. These torpedo-shaped drones, presented at a recent military parade, are designed to track and monitor foreign submarines. The expansion isn’t limited to vessels: satellite imagery confirms substantial growth at key naval bases, such as the strategically notable harbor in Yulin, with expanded dry docks and increased berthing capacity.

Did You Know? China now accounts for over 60 percent of global orders for new ships, a testament to its rapid production speed and competitive pricing.

Dominance in Global Shipbuilding

Over the past two decades, extensive government investment has established Chinese shipyards as global leaders in ship production. Between 2019 and 2023, the largest Chinese shipyards – Dalian, Guangzhou, Jiangnan, and Hudong-Zhonghua – constructed 39 warships totaling 550,000 tons in displacement. By comparison, the entire US fleet has a displacement of approximately 4.5 million tons.

Taiwan Remains a Focal Point

The Chinese Navy actively conducts deterrent maneuvers in contested areas of the East and South China Seas, including near the Scarborough Reef and around taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province and has not ruled out the possibility of forceful reunification. Former US President Joe Biden repeatedly affirmed the US commitment to defending Taiwan, although this stance was questioned during the presidency of Donald Trump. US defense Secretary Pete hegseth recently warned that China poses an “immediate” threat to Taiwan, urging neighboring countries to bolster their defense spending.

A Chinese fleet participates in a naval exercise.

Pro Tip: Monitoring developments in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait is crucial for understanding the evolving geopolitical landscape.

the Future of Naval Power

The shift in naval power dynamics is prompting significant strategic adjustments globally. The United States and its allies are focusing on maintaining technological superiority and strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. The ongoing modernization of both the Chinese and US navies will likely continue to drive innovation and competition in maritime warfare for decades to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About China’s Naval Expansion

• What is ‘civil-military fusion’ in the context of China’s navy? It’s a strategy where commercial infrastructure is readily converted to military production, accelerating shipbuilding.
• Dose china’s larger fleet mean it’s more powerful than the US navy? Not necessarily. the US Navy still holds advantages in aircraft carriers, submarines, and overall technological sophistication.
• What is China doing to improve its submarine capabilities? China is developing new underwater drones to track and monitor enemy submarines, and is building submarines tailored to the South China Sea.
• How is China investing in its shipbuilding industry? China is heavily investing in its shipyards, making them the most productive in the world, accounting for over 60% of global orders.
• What is the significance of the expansion of naval bases like Yulin? expanding these bases increases China’s ability to project power and influence in the region.
• Is Taiwan a key factor in China’s naval buildup? Yes, Taiwan is a major focal point. China views Taiwan as a province and regularly conducts military drills in the area.
• What is the total tonnage of the US fleet compared to China? The US fleet has around 4.5 million tons in displacement, while China built 550,000 tons between 2019-2023.

What are your thoughts on China’s growing naval power? Do you believe this will lead to increased tensions in the region, or will it foster greater stability?

share your insights in the comments below!

How dose China’s modular construction technique for warships impact the USMC’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) strategy?

The Rise of Chinese Naval Shipbuilding

China’s rapid advancements in naval shipbuilding have become a focal point of discussion within the US military, particularly concerning the competitive landscape faced by the US Marine Corps. This isn’t simply about quantity; it’s about how quickly China can design,build,and deploy modern warships. This speed is increasingly influencing strategic considerations and prompting a re-evaluation of US naval strategies. Key terms driving this discussion include Chinese naval expansion, warship construction speed, and US-China naval competition.

Modular Construction: A game changer

A core element of China’s success lies in its adoption of modular construction techniques. Unlike conventional shipbuilding methods where a vessel is built piece-by-piece in a dry dock, modular construction involves pre-fabricating large sections – modules – of the ship in different locations and then assembling them.

Increased Efficiency: This parallel construction significantly reduces overall build time.

Reduced Costs: Streamlined processes and economies of scale contribute to lower production costs.

Quality Control: Modules can be rigorously inspected before integration, enhancing overall quality.

Scalability: Modular designs allow for easier adaptation and upgrades to existing platforms.

This approach is exemplified by China’s Type 055 destroyer, a highly capable surface combatant built and deployed at a rate that has surprised many observers. The speed of construction for these Type 055 destroyers is a direct result of this modular methodology.

Leveraging Civilian Shipyards & State Support

China’s shipbuilding capacity isn’t solely reliant on dedicated military shipyards. A significant advantage is the ability to leverage its vast network of civilian shipyards, often with ample state support.

Dual-Use Infrastructure: civilian shipyards can be readily converted to military production, providing surge capacity during times of heightened demand.

Government Subsidies: Extensive government subsidies and investment in shipbuilding technology fuel innovation and lower costs.

Supply Chain control: China’s control over critical supply chains for shipbuilding materials provides a strategic advantage.

Workforce Availability: A large and skilled workforce dedicated to shipbuilding ensures consistent production.

This contrasts with the US, where naval shipbuilding is largely confined to a limited number of specialized shipyards facing budgetary constraints and workforce challenges. The term naval industrial base is frequently used when discussing this disparity.

Impact on US Marine Corps Strategy

the rapid pace of Chinese naval progress directly impacts the US Marine Corps’ operational planning and force structure. The USMC is increasingly focused on distributed maritime operations (DMO) and littoral operations in response to the growing threat posed by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

DMO & Littoral Combat: The USMC is adapting its tactics to operate in smaller, more dispersed units, leveraging advanced technologies to counter larger, more concentrated enemy forces.

Focus on Anti-Ship Capabilities: Increased investment in anti-ship missiles and unmanned systems is aimed at neutralizing the PLAN’s growing fleet.

Need for Agile Platforms: The USMC requires agile and adaptable platforms capable of operating in contested environments.

Emphasis on Innovation: Accelerated research and development of new technologies are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge.

The USMC’s shift towards DMO is, in part, a response to the perceived need to offset China’s quantitative advantage in naval assets.Distributed Maritime Operations are now central to USMC doctrine.

Case Study: The South China Sea

The South China Sea serves as a real-world example of the implications of China’s shipbuilding prowess.The PLAN’s increasing presence in the region,facilitated by its rapidly expanding fleet,has altered the strategic balance and challenged US freedom of navigation operations.

Increased PLAN Presence: China’s construction of artificial islands and deployment of naval assets have solidified its control over key maritime features.

grey zone Tactics: The PLAN employs a range of “grey zone” tactics, operating below the threshold of armed conflict to assert its claims.

US response: The US Navy and marine Corps conduct regular freedom of navigation operations to challenge China’s claims and uphold international law.

Escalation Risks: The increased military presence and assertive behavior raise the risk of miscalculation and escalation.

This situation highlights