Who holds the upper hand in global military dominance: the USA or China? As two of the world’s superpowers, their military capabilities shape international security. From advanced weaponry to troop strength and strategic reach, comparing the USA vs China military power reveals a compelling contest in today’s world.
Disclaimer: Best Diplomats is not an expert in this particular field. This data is taken from various credible sources.
A Comparison of USA Vs China Military Power
Here is the comparison of the military power of the USA and China based on the following elements of military power;
1. Military Expenditure
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Analysis, since 1992, China has improved its military spending by around 900 percent. Compared with Russia, the Chinese military spending was much higher in 2022, around $300 billion. However, compared to the United States, Chinese military expenditure is still lower than that of US military expenditure.
In 2022, the military expenditure of the United States was $877 billion; on the other hand, China’s military spending in the same year was $292 billion. This shows that the United States is spending 3 times more of China’s military expenditure. US military expenditure as a share of GDP is 3.5% and China’s military spending has a 1.6 % share of GDP.
2. Manpower
Regarding manpower, China ranks first in the world and has the largest army with about 2,035,000 active personnel and 2,000,000 reserved personnel. Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/264443/the-worlds-largest-armies-based-on-active-force-level/. On the other hand, the US ranks third in the world in terms of manpower with about 1,358,500 active personnel and 799,500 reserved personnel. China also has paramilitary forces of about 6,25,000 and ranks at the fourth position while the United States has no paramilitary forces.
3. Land Power
In terms of land power, China is dominating the United States. China possesses 7,094 total artillery while the United States has 3,161 total artillery. Further, here is the table for the comparison of China and US land power;
| Land Forces | China | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Tanks | 5,750 | 5,652 |
| Armoured Fighting Vehicle | 14,130 | 38,639 |
| Self Propelled Artillery | 2,720 | 1,521 |
| Rocket Artillery | 3,140 | 705 |
| Mobile Rocket Projectors | 3,180 | 694 |
Source: https://armedforces.eu/compare/country_usa_vs_china
4. Air Power
The United States ranks first in terms of air power in the world. The United States possesses 13,175 total aircraft, and China has 4,630 total aircraft. Further, the US has 377 fighter aircraft, 2,484 multi-role aircraft, and 531 attack aircraft. On the other hand, China has 1,049 fighter aircraft, 1,130 multi-role aircraft, and 120 attack aircraft. Further details of the Airpower of both countries are given in the table below.
| Air Power | United States | China |
| Aerial Tankers | 606 | 10 |
| Dedicated Attacks | 896 | 371 |
| Transports | 957 | 289 |
| Helicopters | 4,928 | 1,355 |
| Special Missions | 695 | 112 |
| UCAV (Combat Drones) | 444 | 151 |
| Trainers | 2,648 | 402 |
5. Naval Power
Regarding naval power, the US has the largest navy in the world, but at the same time, China is competing with the United States on the same level in terms of naval power. The total fleet strength of China is greater than that of the United States, which is about 742, while the United States fleet strength is 460. In terms of aircraft carriers, the United States ranks first with 20 and China ranks second with 4 aircraft carriers in the world. China has 74 submarines compared to the US which has 69. Further details of the naval power of the US and China are mentioned in the table given below;
| Naval Power | United States | China |
| Helo Carriers | 9 | 3 |
| Destroyers | 97 | 38 |
| Frigates | 0 | 54 |
| Corvettes | 23 | 73 |
| Patrol Vessels | 5 | 150 |
| Mine Warfare | 8 | 36 |
6. Nuclear Weapons
The United States is the first nation in history to acquire and deploy nuclear weapons for military use. It started with the Manhattan Project, which was an exploration project with a particular goal of developing and producing the first nuclear weapon. The first people to employ such powerful weapons were Americans. The Manhattan Project was launched in 1941. The United States overtook all other nations and took the lead in the possession of nuclear bombs following the end of World War II, and this supremacy lasted until the 1980s.
The United States had exceeded its warheads to 30,000 by 1960. It is crucial to note that the United States generated almost 70,000 nuclear warheads during the period of the Cold War. The US has conducted tests on atomic bombs about 1054 times since the first test in 1945. However, due to the nuclear restriction, the number of warheads has decreased to 6500. Out of which only 1600 are deployed by the United States.
The United States is the world’s largest nuclear power producer, with around 30% of total nuclear electrical power production. In 2022, the country’s nuclear reactors generated 772 TWh, accounting for 18% of total electricity generation. Vogtle 3 was connected to the grid in April 2023, and unit 4 in March 2024.
China is one of the nuclear states under the NPT which possesses approximately 280 nuclear warheads in total at this moment. However, the number of deployed warheads is unknown. China conducted its first nuclear test in 1964 which was successful and China became a nuclear state. The main objective of China in developing nuclear weapons is to create a deterrence against the two major nuclear powers; the United States and the Soviet Union.
After 32 months of the first nuclear test in 1964, China was able to test its first hydrogen bomb. As a result, they are entitled to the shortest time between creating fission and fusion technologies. China performed 45 nuclear weapons tests. However, data about the stockpile of accumulating warheads is imprecise. The same remains true for the overall number of deployed warheads. All of this is attributed to the country’s secrecy and inadequate data provision.
7. Cyber and Space Power
In terms of cyber power grounds, the US and China both are the leading states. Since the era of digitalization started, countries have begun to adopt new strategies of warfare to counterbalance the threat of others in the cyber world. Other than the US, China, Russia, and other major powers, many countries such as Yemen and Syria have their own cyber armies to combat cyber warfare.
Since the mid-1990s, the United States has developed its cyber capability. It possesses world-class cyber intelligence capability with international reach and is strengthened by integrated partnerships with other skilled cyber-capable states. The US has clear objectives of developing cyber capability for the pursuit of national cyber power. US Cyber Command comprises 133 cyber mission teams which are headed by the US National Security Agency. In 2019, the US established its US Space Force consisting of 8,400 personnel.
On the other hand, Cyber Great Power is the key concept in President Xi Jinping’s China’s telecommunications and network strategy. The objectives of developing cyber power are national security defense and social stability. Two years after the Gulf War in 1993, the Chinese military upgraded its military strategic plan to make “winning local wars in conditions of modern technology, particularly high technology”. This became the main agenda of the Chinese military strategy.
The Chinese military initially addressed cyber warfare comprehensively in the 2013 version of “The Science of Military Strategy,” a research conducted by the Academy of Military Science. It highlighted that cyberspace is growing as a new and essential area of military conflict in the modern world. A similar tone was used in a 2015 Ministry of National Defense article titled “China’s Military Strategy.”
In Cyberpower, China has an offensive approach. China being the technological giant can pose a threat to US infrastructure including the electrical grid, water treatment plans, oil and gas pipelines, election campaigns, and the transportation sector. Regarding the cyber army, China possesses 50,000 to 100,00 hacker army personnel and is one of the biggest cyber armies in the world.
Conclusion
Which superpower truly dominates the battlefield? The USA vs China military power showcases unmatched strength, with each excelling in different areas. This rivalry drives technological advancements and reshapes global dynamics. As the competition intensifies, the balance of power remains a key factor in determining the future of global security.
FAQs
Is China as Powerful as the USA?
In the last decades, China’s military has been rapidly growing, but the United States has continued to be the strongest army in the world.
How Strong Is the Military in China Compared to the United States?
China and the U.S. are global military powerhouses but with distinct strengths. China boasts the world’s largest active-duty military personnel and a growing arsenal, including advanced hypersonic missiles. However, the U.S. leads in defense technology, global reach, and air and naval superiority, underpinned by the world’s largest military budget. Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/comparing-the-u-s-and-china-on-eight-measures-of-power/
Is China’s Air Force Stronger Than the US?
The U.S. Air Force remains significantly stronger than China’s, with superior numbers of advanced fighter jets, bombers, and special-mission aircraft. The U.S. also has an extensive aerial refueling capability, essential for global operations, whereas China’s focus remains more regional.
What Rank Is China in Military Power?
China ranks third in military power in the world. It is followed by the United States of America and Russia.
