China military

Global rank #2

SCO

China ranks #2 of 24 in the 2026 Military Atlas Index. It spends $336B on defense (1.7% of GDP) and has 2.04M active personnel.

Key statistics

SIPRI 2025. ~600 warheads, growing ~100/yr. No-first-use declared. Triad in development.

Sources: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database (2025), World Bank (2025), FAS Status of World Nuclear Forces (2026), IISS The Military Balance (2026), Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), citing FlightGlobal World Air Forces (2026), Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) (2026), CSIS Missile Threat (2026).

Equipment inventory

No equipment found.

China: Aircraft (29)

J-11/16/Su-27/30/35Fighter Jet · Russia319confirmedJ-20 Mighty DragonFighter Jet · China~200+ in serviceestimatedXian H-6K BomberBomber · China~120 H-6K/N/J variantsestimatedY-7Transport Aircraft · China48confirmedJJ-7Transport Aircraft · China35confirmedII-76Transport Aircraft · Soviet Union27confirmedZ-9Transport Aircraft · China16confirmedShenyang J-35 (FC-31)Fighter Jet · China~12 delivered to PLANAF 2025confirmedY-12Transport Aircraft · China11confirmedT-34Transport Aircraft · Soviet Union10confirmedType-071 (Yuzhao)Amphibious Transport Dock · China8confirmedCH-4BUAV / Drone · China5confirmed

Challenger 870 (Recce)Transport Aircraft · Canada5confirmed

II-76 (KJ-2000) (AEW)Transport Aircraft · China4confirmedAn-30 (EW)Reconnaissance · Soviet Union3confirmed737 (MPA)Maritime Patrol Aircraft · United States2confirmedWZ-8UAV / Drone · China2confirmedPC-6Transport Aircraft · Switzerland1confirmedFubai-class tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedFujian-class tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedFushi-class tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedJ-20S Twin-Seat Stealth FighterFighter Jet · China—confirmedJinyou-class oil tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedNanshui 701-class water tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedType 620 tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedType 631 tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedType 637 tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedType 645 tankerTransport Aircraft—confirmedWZ-10UAV / Drone · China—confirmed

China: Helicopters (6)

HJ-10Helicopter · China200confirmedMi-8/17Helicopter · Soviet Union140confirmedH120Helicopter · France93confirmedMi-17Helicopter · Soviet Union16confirmedAW109Helicopter · Italy4confirmedAS555Helicopter · France1confirmed

China: Land (50)

122mm Type-54 (M-1938) TOWEDArtillery System · China4,700confirmedZBL-08Armored Vehicle · China3,250confirmedZBD-04AArmored Vehicle · China2,000confirmedZSD-89/-89AArmored Vehicle · China1,750confirmedType 96ATank · China1,500confirmedZTL-11Tank · China1,200confirmedType 96Tank · China1,000confirmedZSL-10Armored Vehicle · China900confirmed

PPZ-10Artillery System · China800confirmed

ZTD-05Tank · China750confirmedType 99A Main Battle TankTank · China700confirmedZSL-92AArmored Vehicle · China700confirmedZBD-86AArmored Vehicle · China650confirmed155mm SH-15 SPArtillery System · China630confirmedPLL-09Artillery System · China600confirmedType 99 Main Battle Tank (ZTZ99-II)Tank · China600confirmed

ZBD86Armored Vehicle · China600confirmed

ZSL-92BArmored Vehicle · China600confirmedPHL-81Rcl · China575confirmed

PLZ-07AArtillery System · China550confirmed

Type 92 APC (ZSL-92)Armored Vehicle · China550confirmed220mm 18 SR5Artillery System · China510+confirmedType 66 howitzerArtillery System · China500confirmedType-85-IIAPTank · China500confirmedZTQ-15Tank · China500confirmedType 59Tank · China400confirmedZBD-04Armored Vehicle · China400confirmedPLZ-05Artillery System · China320confirmedPCL-09Artillery System · China300confirmedPLZ-07BArtillery System · China300confirmedPLZ-89Artillery System · China300confirmedd-30Artillery System · Soviet Union300confirmed

PGZ04AArtillery System · China270confirmed

Type 63 APC (ZSD-63)Armored Vehicle · China200confirmed

ZTZ-79Tank · China200confirmedPCL-161Artillery System · China120confirmedPCL-171Artillery System · China120confirmedPH-63Artillery System · China107confirmedM-46Artillery System · Soviet Union100confirmed

PCP-001Artillery System · China82confirmed

WZ-523Armored Vehicle · China50confirmedZSL-93Armored Vehicle · China50confirmedZBL-19 (reported)Armored Vehicle · China10confirmedDongfeng EQ2050Armored Vehicle · China—confirmedDongfeng MengshiArmored Vehicle · China—confirmedHurricane (weapon)Sp Anti-Aircraft Gun · China—confirmed

OW5Sp Anti-Aircraft Gun · China—confirmed

Tiger (4x4)Armored Vehicle—confirmed

Type 100Tank · China—estimatedType 100 tankTank · China—confirmed

China: Naval (155)

Type 271 landing craftLanding Craft100+confirmedType-022 (Houbei)Patrol Boat · China60confirmedType-056A (Jiangdao)Frigate · China50confirmedType-054A (Jiangkai II)Frigate · China40confirmedType-726 (Yuyi)Landing Craft · China40confirmedType 052D Kunming-class DestroyerDestroyer · China35 in commissionconfirmed

YubuLanding Ship · China25confirmed

Type-081 (Wochi)Mine Countermeasures Vessel · China24confirmedType-037-IG (Houxin)Frigate · China22confirmedType-037-II (Houjian)Frigate · China22confirmedType-039B (Yuan)Submarine · China14confirmedDuhast-class tugOcean Tug13confirmedKilo-class Submarine (Project 636.3)Submarine · Russia12 Project 636confirmedType 052D Kunming-class DestroyerDestroyer · China12confirmedType-039(G) (Song)Submarine · China12confirmedType-082-I (Wosao II)Patrol Craft · China12confirmedType-074A (Yubei)Landing Ship · China11confirmedType-035(G) (Ming)Submarine · China10confirmedType-062-1 (Shanghai III)Frigate · China10confirmed

Type-073A (Yunshu)Landing Ship · China10confirmed

Type-081A (Wochi mod)Mine Countermeasures Vessel · China10confirmedType-082-II (Wozang)Mine Countermeasures Vessel · China10confirmedType-072-II/III (Yuting I)Landing Ship · China9confirmedType-072A (Yuting II)Landing Ship · China9confirmedDubei-class target shipAuxiliary Ship8confirmedKilo-class Submarine (Project 636.3)Submarine · Russia8confirmedType 055 Renhai-class CruiserDestroyer · China8 in commission, more plannedconfirmedBeituo 739-class tugOcean Tug6confirmedType 094 Jin-class SSBNSubmarine · China6 confirmedconfirmedType-052C (Luyang II)Destroyer · China6confirmedType-053H3 (Jiangwei II Upgrade)Frigate · China6confirmedType-072B (Yuting II)Landing Ship · China6confirmedZubrLanding Craft · Soviet Union6confirmedDaguan-class troopshipTraining Ship4confirmedType-035B (Ming)Submarine · China4confirmedType-039A (Yuan)Submarine · China4confirmedType-082 (Wosao I)Mine Countermeasures Vessel · China4confirmedType-093A (Shang II)Submarine · China4confirmedYuan Wang-class tracking shipAuxiliary Ship4confirmedType-074 mod (Yuhai mod)Landing Ship · China3confirmedType-075 (Yushen)Amphibious Assault Ship · China3confirmedType-091 (Han)Submarine · China3confirmedDarong-class transportAuxiliary Ship2confirmedDongtuo 835-class tugOcean Tug2confirmedHangzhou (RUS Project 956E (Sovremenny III))Destroyer · Russia2confirmedHangzhou (RUS Project 956EM (Sovremenny II))Destroyer · Russia2confirmedOsprey-class submersibleAuxiliary Ship2confirmedType 701 roll-on/roll-off shipAuxiliary Ship2confirmedType-039B mod (Yuan)Submarine · China2confirmedType-051C (Luzhou)Destroyer · China2confirmedType-052 (Luhu)Destroyer · China2confirmedType-052B (Luyang I)Destroyer · China2confirmedType-053H3 (Jiangwei II)Frigate · China2confirmedType-054 (Jiangkai)Frigate · China2confirmedType-093 (Shang I)Submarine · China2confirmedYoulan-class cable layerAuxiliary Ship2confirmed120 ton-class repair dry dockAuxiliary Ship1confirmed8 cubic meter-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship1confirmedAnshan-class destroyerDestroyer1confirmedHua Chuan No. 1-class repair dry dockAuxiliary Ship1confirmedQiongsha-class cargo shipAuxiliary Ship1confirmedType-001 (Kuznetsov)Aircraft Carrier · Soviet Union1confirmedType-002 (Kuznetsov mod)Aircraft Carrier · China1confirmedType-032 (Qing)Submarine · China1confirmedType-051B (Luhai)Destroyer · China1confirmedType-072-IIG (Yukan)Landing Ship · China1confirmed

Type-073-II (Yudeng)Landing Ship · China1confirmed

35-ton deep-submergence rescue vehicleSubmarine—confirmedAnkang-class hospital shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedBeidiao 991Auxiliary Ship—confirmedBeijun 204-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedBeiqi 384-class crane shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedBeituo 617-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedBeituo 699-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedBeituo 702-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedBeituo 715-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedChinese hospital ship Daishan DaoAuxiliary Ship—confirmedChinese medical evacuation ship ZhuangheAuxiliary Ship—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship ChaohuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship DongpinghuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship GaoyouhuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship KekexilihuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship LuomahuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese replenishment ship WeishanhuReplenishment Oiler—confirmed

Chinese research ship Mirage HunterAuxiliary Ship—confirmedChinese ship Beidiao 993Auxiliary Ship—confirmed

Chinese ship ChaganhuAuxiliary Ship—confirmed

Chinese ship Zheng HeAuxiliary Ship—confirmedChinese training ship ShichangTraining Ship—confirmedDachou-class torpedo retriever/target shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDatuo-class rescue and salvage shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDonggong 429-class floating pile driverAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDongjun 417-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDongjun 433-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDongjun 434-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDongxiu 912-class repair dry dockAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDucha-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedDuchuan-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDuda-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedDufei-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDujiang-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedDukou-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDulaji-class research shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDuludao-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDumuju-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedDupo-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedDuzhou-class dispatch boatAuxiliary Ship—confirmedFighting Shark No.1Auxiliary Ship—confirmedHaixiu 121-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedHongqi-class cargo shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedKomandarm Fedko-class oilerReplenishment Oiler—confirmedLR7Auxiliary Ship—confirmedLanding Ship MediumLanding Ship—confirmedLongma-class dive tenderAuxiliary Ship—confirmedNangong 681-class floating pile driverAuxiliary Ship—confirmedNanjun 610-class dredgerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedShantou-class gunboatPatrol Boat—confirmedSovremenny-class destroyer (Project 956 Sarych)Destroyer · Soviet Union—confirmedTuqiang-class tugOcean Tug—confirmedTuzhong-class cutterAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 051 destroyerDestroyer—confirmedType 053 frigateFrigate—confirmedType 054B Guided-Missile FrigateFrigate · China—confirmedType 072II landing shipLanding Ship—confirmedType 2630 training shipTraining Ship—confirmedType 272 icebreakerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 633 heavy-lift shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 639 auxiliary shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 648 repair shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 680 training shipTraining Ship—confirmedType 724 LCACLanding Craft—confirmedType 744 buoy tenderAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 792 naval trawlerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 803 torpedo retrieverAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 8105 naval trawlerAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 814A spy shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 815 spy shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmed

Type 901 fast combat support shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmed

Type 903 replenishment shipReplenishment Oiler—confirmedType 909 weapon trials shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 910 weapon trials shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 911 degaussing/deperming shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 912 degaussing/deperming shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 917 rescue shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 917 torpedo retriever/target shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 919 hospital shipAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 925 submarine support shipSubmarine—confirmedType 926 submarine support shipSubmarine—confirmedType 927 oceanographic surveillance shipSurvey Ship—confirmedType 944 buoy tenderAuxiliary Ship—confirmedType 946 submarine rescue shipSubmarine—confirmedType-037-IS (Haiqing)Frigate · China—confirmedType-067A (Yunnan)Landing Craft · China—confirmedYanjiu-class survey shipSurvey Ship—confirmedYuch'in-class landing craftLanding Craft—confirmed

China: Missile (25)

HJ-8 (veh mounted)Missile System · China450confirmedZSL-02BMissile System · China450confirmedDF-26Missile System · China250confirmedDF-11AMissile System · China108confirmedDF-15BMissile System · China81confirmedCJ-10/CJ-10AMissile System · China72confirmedYJ-12/YJ-62Missile System · China72confirmedDF-31A(G)Missile System · China56confirmedCJ-100Missile System · China54confirmedJL-3 SLBM (Julang-3)Missile System · China~48 JL-3 missiles for SSBN fleetestimatedDF-16Missile System · China36confirmedDF-21C/DMissile System · China30confirmedHQ-6Air Defence System · China30confirmedDF-17 Hypersonic Glide VehicleMissile System · China~24 DF-17 launchers (2 brigades)confirmedDF-21A/EMissile System · China24confirmedDF-31AMissile System · China24confirmedDF-41 ICBM (Dongfeng-41)Missile System · China~24 launchers (estimated)estimatedDF-5A/B/CMissile System · China18confirmedDF-31 (silo)Missile System · China6confirmedCM-501Loitering Munition · China—confirmedDF-27Missile System · China—confirmedFire Dragon-480 modMissile System · China—confirmedHQ-11Air Defence System · China—confirmedHQ-19 Anti-Ballistic Missile SystemAir Defence System · China—confirmedYJ-21 Hypersonic Anti-Ship MissileMissile System · China—confirmed

China: Nuclear (9)

DF-26Missile System · China250confirmedDF-31A(G)Missile System · China56confirmedJL-3 SLBM (Julang-3)Missile System · China~48 JL-3 missiles for SSBN fleetestimatedDF-21A/EMissile System · China24confirmedDF-31AMissile System · China24confirmedDF-41 ICBM (Dongfeng-41)Missile System · China~24 launchers (estimated)estimatedDF-5A/B/CMissile System · China18confirmedDF-31 (silo)Missile System · China6confirmedType 094 Jin-class SSBNSubmarine · China6 confirmedconfirmed

China: In development (26)

AG600 Kunlong Military VariantTransport Aircraft · China—confirmedAnjian (Dark Sword) Supersonic UCAVUAV / Drone · China—estimatedCH-7 Stealth UAVUAV / Drone · China—confirmedCH-901 Loitering Munition SwarmUAV / Drone · China—confirmedChengdu J-36 (unofficial name)Fighter Jet · ChinaPrototype seen flying December 2024alleged

DN-3 Direct-Ascent ASAT MissileMissile System · China—estimated

FH-97A Loyal WingmanUAV / Drone · China—estimatedGJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAVUAV / Drone · China—confirmedHQ-26 Sea-Based ABM SystemAir Defence System · China—estimatedHQ-9C Long-Range SAMAir Defence System · China—estimatedHigh-Power Microwave Air Defense SystemAir Defence System · China—estimatedJH-XX Stealth Fighter-BomberBomber · China—estimatedKJ-3000 Y-20 AEW&CAirborne Early Warning · China—estimatedL-15B Light Attack AircraftFighter Jet · China—confirmedQN-506 Combat II Fire Support VehicleArmoured Fighting Vehicle · China—confirmed

Type 003 FujianAircraft Carrier · China—confirmed

Type 004 Aircraft CarrierAircraft Carrier · China—estimatedType 039D Conventional SubmarineSubmarine · China—estimatedType 055B Guided-Missile DestroyerDestroyer · China—estimatedType 076 Amphibious Assault ShipAircraft Carrier · China—confirmedType 095 Sui-class SSNSubmarine · China—estimatedType 096 Tang-class SSBNSubmarine · Chinaunder construction, ~2030 IOCestimatedWJ-700 Lieying HALE DroneUAV / Drone · China—confirmedXian H-20 Stealth BomberBomber · Chinadevelopment, entry ~2032+estimatedY-XX Next-Generation Strategic TransportTransport Aircraft · China—estimatedZ-21 Heavy Attack HelicopterAttack Helicopter · China—confirmed

Each row is labeled Confirmed, Estimated or Alleged. A dash means no count is published.

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