China’s and India’s Navy of 2020 and the US Navy compared

Economist magazine – By 2020 China’s navy is expected to have 73 “principal combatants” (big warships) and 78 submarines, 12 of them nuclear-powered.

India has operated two aircraft-carriers since the 1960s, and aims to have three carrier groups operational by 2020, as part of a fleet that by 2022 would have around 160 ships and 400 aircraft, making it one of the world’s five biggest navies. Like China, it also hopes to acquire a full “nuclear triad”—by adding sea-based missiles to its nuclear deterrent. While China has been testing the waters to its south and south-west, India’s navy has been looking east, partly to follow India’s trade links. India fears Chinese “strategic encirclement”. Similarly, China looks askance at India’s expanding defence ties with America, South-East Asia, Japan and South Korea.

There are more than 436 ships believed to be in active service with the United States Navy, on reserve, or under construction, based on public reports.

There are currently 10 aircraft carriers, 22 cruisers, 62 destroyers, 28 frigates, 3 littoral combat ships, 9 amphibious assault ships, 2 amphibious command ships, 9 amphibious transport docks, 12 dock landing ships, 53 attack submarines, 14 ballistic missile submarines, 4 guided missile submarines, 14 mine countermeasures ships, 11 patrol boats, and 1 technical research ship.

Composition of the United States Submarine Navy

Ohio class (18 in commission) — 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBN’S), 4 guided missile submarines (SSGN’s)
Virginia class (7 in commission, 3 under construction, 4 on order) — fast attack submarines
Seawolf class (3 in commission) — attack submarines
Los Angeles class (43 in commission, 2 in reserve) — attack submarines

71 submarines

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