Commentary
China’s force of aircraft carriers continues to grow. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently has two carriers, one an ex-Soviet vessel, the other a virtual clone of the first. But it is rapidly adding to its arsenal.
A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (center), during military drills in the South China Sea, on Jan. 2, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images
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Richard A. Bitzinger
Author
Richard A. Bitzinger is an independent international security analyst. He was previously a senior fellow with the Military Transformations Program at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, and he has held jobs in the U.S. government and at various think tanks. His research focuses on security and defense issues relating to the Asia-Pacific region, including the rise of China as a military power, and military modernization and arms proliferation in the region.
