China Pushes for Nine Carriers by 2035, Says Pentagon
China’s ambitions to significantly expand its blue-water naval capabilities are accelerating, according to a new Pentagon report that underscores the strategic stakes of the Indo-Pacific region. Citing findings detailed in “China Wants Nine Aircraft Carriers by 2035, Says New Pentagon Report,” published by USNI News, the U.S. Department of Defense warns that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aims to more than triple its current fleet of aircraft carriers over the next decade, underscoring Beijing’s long-term goal of establishing maritime dominance.
As of now, China operates two aircraft carriers, with a third, the Fujian, undergoing sea trials. The Pentagon’s 2025 China Military Power Report reveals that the Chinese leadership and military planners have set a target of nine operational carriers by 2035, with accompanying carrier strike groups modeled on U.S. Navy equivalents. This would represent a dramatic shift in force projection capabilities and suggest a profound transformation of Chinese naval doctrine—from a traditionally coastal defense force to an increasingly expeditionary one.
The move to increase carrier construction is part of a broader modernization program initiated by President Xi Jinping, which includes investments in hypersonic weapons, advanced submarines, and space-borne surveillance assets. According to the Pentagon, Beijing’s military-industrial complex is well-positioned to support this expansion, having demonstrated increasing efficiency in shipbuilding and military technology development. The report also emphasizes the growing integration between the PLAN and China’s emerging joint command structure, enhancing Beijing’s ability to coordinate large-scale, multi-domain operations far from its shores.
Alarmed by the scope of China’s ambitions, the Pentagon notes that a nine-carrier fleet would allow the PLAN to maintain a sustained presence in multiple theaters simultaneously—particularly in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and potentially in the Indian Ocean. Such capacity would significantly challenge the U.S. Navy’s traditional dominance in these regions, particularly as the Chinese navy continues its rapid expansion in both quantity and technological sophistication.
While the report does not directly speculate on Beijing’s political objectives, analysts interpreting the Pentagon’s findings suggest the buildup could be aimed at deterring U.S. involvement in regional conflicts, especially over Taiwan, and bolstering China’s influence over critical sea lanes. The Department of Defense also notes that China’s carrier development includes a shift toward catapult-assisted launch systems on newer vessels, a key step in enabling aircraft with greater range and payload options.
The report urges U.S. policymakers to take the PLAN’s trajectory seriously, recommending increased investments in asymmetric naval capabilities, modernization of the U.S. carrier fleet, and enhanced collaboration with regional allies. Notably, it emphasizes that the pace and scale of China’s naval expansion are “unprecedented in modern history,” setting the stage for renewed geopolitical competition on the world’s oceans.
As the U.S. responds with its own strategic recalibrations, the Pentagon’s findings, as reported by USNI News, paint a stark picture of the evolving balance of power in maritime Asia—one that will likely define military and diplomatic engagement for years to come.
