Naval Fleet Tonnage: China vs USA
China has undergone the fastest peacetime naval expansion in modern history, but the US Navy still leads in total displacement tonnage. As of 2025, the US Navy displaces approximately 4.5 million tons across 290+ ships anchored by 11 nuclear supercarriers, while China's PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) displaces roughly 2.5 million tons across 370+ ships including 3 aircraft carriers. China surpassed the US in total number of hulls around 2020, but tonnage — which captures ship size and capability — tells a more nuanced story.
18 data points • yearly