The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning is underway. Plan photos

According to a report released by the US Department of Defense on Wednesday, China has the world's largest maritime power with approximately 355 ships.

The Pentagon’s annual China Military Report estimates that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet has 355 ships and plans to increase its inventory to 420 ships in the next four years. By 2030, the Chinese Navy is expected to have 460 ships.

The report, which covers events in 2020, stated that the 355 estimates included "main surface warships, submarines, aircraft carriers, ocean-going amphibious ships, mine warships, and fleet auxiliary ships."

"This figure does not include the 85 patrol combatants and ships carrying anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM).... A large part of this increase will occur on major surface warships," the report reads.

This annual report, authorized by Congress, describes the Chinese Navy’s ambitions to use more multi-functional platforms for operations outside the Indo-Pacific region.

"In order to achieve China's goal of establishing a'strong and modern naval force', the Chinese Navy is an increasingly modern and flexible force that focuses on replacing its previous generations of limited-capable platforms to support larger, modern multi-purposes. Combatants," the report read. "As of 2020, the Chinese Navy is mainly composed of modern multifunctional platforms equipped with advanced anti-ship, air defense and anti-submarine weapons and sensors. The PLA also emphasizes joint maritime operations and joint integration within the PLA. This modernization is in line with China’s increasing emphasis on the maritime field and Consistent with the growing demand for the Chinese Navy to operate at greater distances from China."

As the Pentagon report was released this week, tensions between China and Taiwan increased. Last month, China flew dozens of planes in international airspace near Taiwan.

This week, a senior defense official said that these flights may be part of a threat to Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of China and aims to unify with the mainland.

"I think this may have multiple uses for them. Sometimes I think their purpose is to try to intimidate Taiwan militarily. Sometimes I think they might try to send messages to the United States or other allies and partners. I think they certainly do too. Working hard to improve their training under realistic conditions-this is what they wrote a lot in their literary works," the official told reporters on Tuesday.

The official added: “It often has an external messaging component, and may also have a training aspect, and may also have some messages delivered to domestic audiences to demonstrate their growing capabilities.” “I don’t think I will deny it. To some extent, apart from other factors, they are also trying to emphasize a message to the domestic audience, which is part of it."

According to military reports, China is seeking new anti-submarine combat capabilities and long-range strike capabilities, including surface attack cruise missiles that can be launched from surface ships and submarines.

According to the report, "In the near future, the Chinese Navy will be able to use land attack cruise missiles to conduct long-range precision strikes on land targets from its submarines and surface combat ships, significantly enhancing China's global power projection capabilities." "China is strengthening. Its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and capabilities to protect the Chinese Navy’s aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines."

The Pentagon wants China to install ground attack cruise missiles on its new surface warships and nuclear attack craft. For example, the report predicts that "Ren Hai" class guided missile cruisers can deploy ground attack cruise missiles.

"In the next few years, the Chinese Navy may install LACM on its newer cruisers and destroyers, as well as the Type 093B nuclear attack submarine that is under development. The PLA Navy can also transform its older surface warships and submarines to make them capable of land-based operations. Attack capabilities," the report said. "The addition of land attack capabilities to the surface warships and submarines of the Chinese Navy will provide the PLA with flexible long-range strike options. This will enable China to put land targets outside the Indo-Pacific region from the maritime domain at risk."

In terms of submarines, the report estimates that China will continue to build and purchase conventional submarines, and will also build new ballistic missile boats and nuclear-powered boats.

"Equipped with CSS-N-14 (JL-2) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), the Chinese Navy’s six advanced SSBNs in combat represent the [People's Republic of China]’s first reliable sea-based nuclear deterrent. Each advanced SSBN. A maximum of 12 JL-2 SLBMs can be carried. In 2019, Beijing demonstrated these missiles at the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which shows that at least 12 JL-2s are complete and ready for use,” the report reads. “It is reported that China’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN is likely to begin construction in the early 2020s, and it is reported that it will carry a new type of SLBM. A SSBN. This will be in line with President Xi Jinping’s 2018 instructions for the SSBN force to achieve “stronger growth”.”

The Pentagon report estimates that China will maintain an inventory of 65 to 70 submarines in the next ten years and replace its aging submarines with newer ones in a "close to one-to-one manner."

"China continues to increase its inventory of conventional submarines capable of launching advanced anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM). Between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s, the Chinese Navy purchased 12 Russian-made Kilo-class SSK devices, of which 8 were capable of launching anti-ship cruise missiles. Cruise missiles. Chinese shipyards have delivered 13 Song-class SS (Type 039) and 17 Yuan-class diesel-electric (SSP) (Type 039A/B). It is expected that by 2025, China will produce a total of 25 or more submarines. ," the report said.

The report pointed out that China's submarine inventory is "moderately increasing because it is working hard to improve its capabilities, integrate new technologies and expand its shipyards."

As for the nuclear arsenal, the Ministry of Defense stated that China may hope to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by the end of this decade. This prediction exceeds the Pentagon’s final estimate of the speed of China’s nuclear development.

The report reads: “Last year, the Ministry of National Defense estimated that China’s nuclear warhead inventory was lower than in the 2000s, and it is expected to at least double in the next ten years.” “Since then, Beijing has accelerated the pace of nuclear expansion, which may increase China’s possession by 2027. Up to 700 deliverable nuclear warheads, and may intend to have at least 1,000 warheads by 2030."

The report specifically pointed out China's recent goal of achieving certain modernization plans by 2027, which the Pentagon said may have an impact on Taiwan.

The report reads: "If achieved, the PLA's 2027 modernization goal can provide Beijing with a more reliable emergency military option for Taiwan."

One of the modernization initiatives covers long-range strike capabilities.

The report stated: "For the whole of 2020, the PLA will continue to pursue ambitious modernization goals, improve major organizational reforms, and improve combat readiness based on these goals." "This includes the PLA's development of cross-domain and increasingly complex space, anti-space, and cyber capabilities to join forces. The ability of long-range precision strikes and accelerate the large-scale expansion of its nuclear power."

Mallory Shelbourne is a reporter for USNI News. She has previously reported for the Navy's internal defense and has reported on politics for Hill.