Chinese warship fleet passes 400 as watch on the Indian Ocean tightens
China is modernising its navy as part of expanding its military structure. The number of warships and submarines in the Chinese fleet has passed 400, a US newspaper reported, based on official US data.
China's naval strength has not stopped at numbers. Its activity has increased in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, southern parts of Japan and the sea areas of the Philippines. Reports say about 100 Chinese naval vessels operate daily along Asia's key sea lanes.
The main driver of this rapid expansion is China's massive shipbuilding industry. US data show that since 2020 China has added 71 major warships and submarines to its fleet.
The expansion is significant for India too, as it opens the possibility of China extending its maritime activities into the Indian Ocean region. Indian defence agencies are closely monitoring the movement of Chinese warships, submarines and research vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and international commercial sea lanes.
