China Has How Many Aircraft Carriers

Okay, so let’s talk about the big floating toys in the Pacific. You’ve seen the headlines: “China’s navy expands!” “New carrier spotted!” And you’re sitting there, coffee in hand, wondering: Wait, how many aircraft carriers does China actually have? It’s a good question. And the answer is… a little slippery, like a greased-up duck on a pond.

First, the hard numbers. Right now, China has three aircraft carriers in total. But—and this is a big but—only two are fully operational and ready to throw a party. The third one is still practicing its dance moves, doing sea trials.

So, let’s meet the fleet. Meet Liaoning, the scrappy older sibling. She’s the first one China bought second-hand from Ukraine back in 1998. Imagine buying a rusty, half-built shopping mall and turning it into a five-star hotel. That’s Liaoning. She’s been around the block, knows her limits, and is great for training pilots.

Then there’s Shandong, the first one China built entirely by itself. Think of her as the young adult who moved out of the basement and got a real job. She’s a bit bigger than Liaoning, can carry more planes (around 40), and serves as the backbone of the current fleet. She’s China’s “we mean business” carrier.

And now for the new kid: Fujian. Oh boy, this one is a game changer. Fujian is massive. She’s the first Chinese carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system—the same fancy tech that’s on America’s newest Ford-class carriers. That’s like upgrading from a slingshot to a railgun. She can launch heavier planes faster.

But here’s where it gets fun. Fujian isn’t in service yet as of late 2024. She’s still doing sea trials, running tests, and probably annoying the neighbors with loud bangs. So officially? China has two carriers that can go on a deployment right now. Unofficially? They have three—if you count the one that’s still learning to walk.

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Now, you might be thinking: “Only two? But I hear about ten carriers coming!” Slow down, turbo. China’s navy, the PLAN, is expanding fast—faster than a caffeinated construction crew. But building a carrier is like baking a fancy cake. You can’t rush it, or it falls apart. They have at least two more carriers in the works, maybe more. Some rumors say they’re planning for six total by 2035.

Let’s put this in context. The US Navy has 11 aircraft carriers. That’s a lot. They’re the reigning champs. China is playing catch-up, but they’re not trying to copy America exactly. They’re building carriers for their own backyard—the South China Sea, the Pacific. They don’t need 11. They need enough to scare the neighbors and protect their trade routes.

But wait, there’s more! Some experts argue that China technically has four carriers if you count the Type 075 amphibious assault ships. These aren’t full carriers, but they’re close. They look like carriers, they smell like carriers, and they can launch helicopters and vertical-takeoff jets. It’s like calling a minivan an SUV—close enough for government work.

So, what’s the takeaway? China has three aircraft carriers, but only two are combat-ready. That’s a solid number for a country that barely had a blue-water navy twenty years ago. They’re building more, learning fast, and probably giggling at the thought of being called a “regional power.”

The evolution of Chinese aircraft carriers - Global Times

But here’s the real question: Does size matter? For carriers, yes—but only if you know how to use them. China’s biggest weakness right now is experience. Their pilots are good, but they haven’t fought a real war at sea since the 1980s. You can’t practice that in a simulator.

And let’s not forget the support ships. A carrier is useless without destroyers, submarines, and supply vessels. China has those too. They’re building them like Lego sets. It’s almost embarrassing how fast their shipyards work.

So, next time you see a headline about China’s carrier fleet, remember: Three is the magic number right now. But by the time you finish this article, they might have launched another one. Seriously, they’re that quick.

Now, go refill your coffee. And if someone asks you, “How many carriers does China have?” You can say: “Two active, one almost ready, and a whole lot of ambition.” Then watch their eyes glaze over. You’re welcome.