The People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force is the surface warfare branch of China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), consisting of all surface vessels in operational service with the PLAN. The PLAN Surface Force operates 661 ships organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, the East Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet.
Since the late 20th century, the People's Liberation Army Navy has been turning away from its traditional focus on coastal and littoral warfare and instead prioritizing the development of blue water capabilities. This led to a significant reduction in overall fleet numbers as the PLAN has replaced a larger number of smaller ships with a smaller number of larger, and more capable and versatile ships, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, amphibious warfare ships and large auxiliary ships. However the growing number of "blue water" capable warships has risen, and fleet numbers are projected to reach more than 500 units by the close of the 2020s. Meanwhile, according to the China Military Power Report published by the Pentagon, as of October 2023, China has the numerically largest navy in the world with an overall battle force of approximately 370 surface ships and submarines, including over 140 major surface combatants — in comparison, according to the U.S. Naval Vessel Register, the United States Navy's battle force is approximately 292 ships and submarines.
Aircraft carriers
The PLAN Surface Force currently operates three aircraft carriers, with one more in development: Type 004 aircraft carrier - Under development. Type 003 aircraft carrier Fujian - In active service.
Type 002 aircraft carrier Shandong - In active service. Type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning - In active service.
Development
The 60,900 tonne Liaoning is the first operational aircraft carrier in service with the PLAN. Liaoning, previously known as Varyag, is a Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier which the Chinese purchased from Ukraine in 1998 through a private tourist venture in Macau. At the time, Varyag was only 68% completed and stripped of all military equipment as well as her propulsion. After the purchase, Varyag was towed to Dalian, where she underwent extensive refurbishment, coordinated by the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company. On 10 August 2011, it was announced that the refurbishment of the new Liaoning was complete, and that the ship was undergoing sea trials. Liaoning was finally commissioned on 25 September 2012.
In July 2011, a senior researcher of the Academy of Military Sciences said China needed at least three aircraft carriers for its fleet. During the same month, another Chinese official announced that two aircraft carriers were being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai; the aircraft carriers were reportedly based on a similar design to Liaoning, suggesting a displacement of approximately 65,000 tonnes. A new Chinese variant of the Sukhoi Su-33 fighter aircraft, known as the Shenyang J-15 (or Flying Shark) was expected to fly from the new aircraft carriers.
In 2013, Chinese media reported that the PLAN is designing and planning to build a 110,000 tonne 'super aircraft carrier'. Media reports also stated that the current aircraft carriers under construction were based on Liaoning, but would be larger and would displace around 80,000 tonnes. The PLA Navy planned to establish three aircraft carrier battle groups by 2020. Liaoning and China's first domestically built carrier were to be part of the battle groups. One of the battle groups was to be deployed in the East China Sea, while the other two were to be deployed to the South China Sea.China plans military reform to enhance its readiness - The-Japan-news.com, 2 January 2014
On 31 December 2015, it was announced that China was building a second carrier in STOBAR configuration, displacing around 50,000 tonnes, with a length of 300m and an estimated capacity of 50 aircraft. The hull was launched on 26 April 2017 and was estimated to be operational by 2020. This carrier—PLAN's second aircraft carrier, Shandong—was put in commission on 17 December 2019, prior the estimated year of operational status.
China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was begun in March 2015 and was launched on 17 June 2022. She is in service as of 5 November 2025. A second ship to this design may be under construction.
China's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is under development and is projected to be of about 110,000 tons, which would make her the world's largest-ever warship.
Amphibious warfare ships
Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs) Type 076 (NATO designation Yulan-class) — 1 in sea trials. Type 075 (NATO designation Yushen-class) — 4 in active service, 4 more projected.
Amphibious Transport Docks (LPDs) Type 071 (NATO designation Yuzhao-class) — 8 in active service with the PLAN, plus one vessel also supplied to Thailand.
Landing Ship, Tank (LSTs) Type 072A (NATO designation Yuting II-class) — 15 in active service. Type 072III (NATO designation Yuting-I-class) — 11 in active service.
Landing Ship, Medium (LSMs) Type 073 (NATO designation Yudao, Yudeng and Yunshu-class) — 11 in active service (10 Type 073A, 1 Type 073III). Landing Craft Type 074A (NATO designation Yubei-class) — 6 in active service. Type 074 (NATO designation Yuhai-class) — 12 in active service.
Development The construction of the large Yuzhao-class amphibious transport docks (LPDs) (pictured) indicated an important shift toward blue water capabilities for the PLAN. However, the Landing Ship, Tanks (LSTs) of the 072 series still constitute the core of PLAN amphibious capabilities. With approximately 26 confirmed in service, the PLAN possesses the capabilities to conduct amphibious operations in the littoral waters of the South East Asian region, as well as a limited capability in outer sea landings. Most vessels are only capable of transporting troops while some are capable of transporting limited numbers of armored vehicles.
In late 2012, it was reported that China may be developing a class of 40,000 to 48,000 tonne landing helicopter docks (LHDs).PLA General admits China developing large amphibious assault ship , November 2012 They came to be known as the Type 075 class. Three vessels of this class are in active service, with a fourth having been launched in December 2023. A total of eight are planned, although later units may be of the improved Type 076.
For a list of smaller landing craft of the PLAN, see: List of active People's Liberation Army Navy landing craft
Destroyers
Destroyers are the largest principal surface combatants in the People's Liberation Army Navy.
Type 055 destroyer (NATO designation Renhai-class) — 10 in active service, including the first two of a second batch of eight under development under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Type 052D destroyer (NATO designation Luyang III-class) — 25 in active service, 3 launched, 6 under construction Type 051C destroyer (NATO designation Luzhou-class) — 2 in active service. Type 052C destroyer (NATO designation Luyang II-class) — 6 in active service. Type 052B destroyer (NATO designation Luyang I-class) — 2 in active service. Project 956E/956EM destroyer (NATO designation Sovremenny-class) — 4 in active service. Type 051B destroyer (NATO designation Luhai-class) — 1 in active service. Type 052 destroyer (NATO designation Luhu-class) — 2 in active service.
Development
The People's Liberation Army Navy had traditionally focused on the principles of coastal defense. With this came a series of warship designs based on the Soviet Navy's destroyers and frigates. The first PLAN destroyers were the Anshan class, directly purchased from the Soviet Union. These were armed with torpedoes and various surface- and air-warfare guns. The Anshans effectiveness in naval warfare was significantly enhanced with the torpedo tubes being replaced by anti-ship missile launchers. Although retired from the active service, the Anshan class destroyers remain on PLAN's list and act as training ships and perform public relations duties.
Type 051 The Type 051 Luda class followed from the 1970s onwards, with many similarities to the Soviet Kotlin class. The Ludas were armed with six anti-ship missiles and various guns and ASW weapons. Both the Luda and Anshan were key vessels to PLAN's coastal defense doctrines, as small coastal defense destroyers. These ships were all armed with mostly manually operated air defense artillery with no surface-to-air missiles and no ASW torpedoes. One Luda class ship, Guangzhou (160), was lost in an accident. By the mid-1990s, all Anshan class destroyers were retired.
Since the late 1980s, the older 051 Luda went through various upgrade and refit programmes. One vessel was refitted with a double hangar and helicopter deck. At least four others were upgraded with HQ-7 short range SAM, new automatic air defense artillery (as opposed to the old manual mounts), torpedoes and sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles. Though the other remaining ships continue to retain original weaponry, they had all undergone major refits to extend their surface lives, including satellite communications and navigation systems to allow them to operate beyond coastal waters.
As of 2021, all Ludas have been retired.
Type 052
In the 1980s, the PLAN focus shifted toward blue-water multi-role operations, alongside the import of Western systems such as the General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, resulting in the Type 052 Luhu class. The first vessel, Harbin (112) (seen and commissioned by the early 1990s), was a significant shift from traditional Chinese warship design. These were the first Chinese attempt at truly modern combat vessels and there was much more focus on air defense and ASW warfare, including the installation of an 8-celled Crotale launcher, a short range missile system later indigenously produced as HQ-7. A second vessel, the Qingdao (113) was launched later in the mid-1990s.
Since the 2000s, the 052 Luhu class has been through various upgrade and refit programmes. Both Harbin (112) and Qingdao (113) have undergone major refits and both now carry sixteen YJ83 Anti-ship missiles and remain in service.
As a result, two subclasses of destroyers were formed in the PLAN, namely the 051 series and 052 series. There are certain design differences between the two subclasses, such as the 051 series ships using mature indigenous steam turbine engines, compared to marine gas turbines on the 052 series, which were at the time less mature and had to be imported.
Type 051B
Near the end of the 1990s, the Type 051B Luhai class was introduced as a new design (not based on the Type 051) utilising domestic steam turbines due to Western embargo on the LM2500 gas turbines. The class was an attempt at modernising naval construction, utilising more modularity and stealth, as well as refining knowledge accumulated from the earlier Type 052 such as integrating foreign subsystems more effectively. The 051B was still obsolete by Western standards, equipped with only short-range anti air capability and just one ship was built - the Shenzhen 167 (originally 115), built by Dalian in 1996-99; it has since undergone major refits. Similar to the 052 Luhu class, it carried sixteen YJ83 anti-ship missiles, improved HQ-7 short-range SAM (Based on the Crotale), and had enhanced electronic, sensor and weaponry capabilities. A major refit in 2015 upgraded it with medium-range anti-air capabilities via vertical-launch HQ-16 (32 missiles, 40 km range), sixteen supersonic YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and two Type 1130 CIWS.
Type 956E / 956EM (Sovremmeny)