Story perspectives

Pentagon: China May Boost Carrier Fleet to Nine by 2035

2/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon (U.S. Department of Defense) projects in its 2025 assessment that China could operate up to nine aircraft carriers by 2035.
China currently operates three carriers, Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian.
The Fujian features advanced electromagnetic catapults.
The United States Ship Abraham Lincoln conducts live-fire drills in the South China Sea, illustrating U.S. naval action to reassure allies amid China's growing maritime power around Taiwan.

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Story summary

The Pentagon (U.S. Department of Defense) projects in its 2025 assessment that China could operate up to nine aircraft carriers by 2035.
China currently operates three carriers, Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian.
The Fujian features advanced electromagnetic catapults.
The United States Ship Abraham Lincoln conducts live-fire drills in the South China Sea, illustrating U.S. naval action to reassure allies amid China's growing maritime power around Taiwan.