LeGenD
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Fair enough. There are technical/qualitative considerations however.I don't know where they got their information but their VLS count is grossly inaccurate. If the rest of their article is as 'credible' as their estimate, then this is an information free propaganda piece.
List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Even using the absolute most conservative estimate of ships on full active duty, the 1x 055, 15x 052D and 6x 052C already has 1500 VLS with another 1000 VLS from 31x 054A frigates with 32x cells and 4x older destroyers with 48x cells.
That's not counting an entire half of the destroyer fleet that's in sea trials (not under construction, they're already in the water).
VLS of Type 052C are HQ-9 SAM enabled/optimized.
VLS of Type 05A are HHQ-16 enabled/optimized.
VLS of Type 052D and Type 055 are superior and multi-munition capable.
USN still have a much higher VLS count (multi-munition capable), and much stronger in defensive applications with an array of interceptor types capable of intercepting a wide range of targets ranging from TBMs to ICBMs in addition to cruise missiles, aircraft, UAVs and more. PLAN have fielded an array of long-range cruise missiles which is good decision on its part but USN have a massive and far-reaching air-wing in comparison. USN is also very strong in the EW and sensor-netting regimes.
Fleet composition and operational capacity of PLAN and USN is vastly different in the present; USN have a much higher count of aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, cruisers, destroyers, and nuclear-powered submarines whereas PLAN have a much higher count of Frigates, Corvettes and diesel-powered submarines in the present. USN is much better equipped to patrol vast oceans as well as long-lasting in distant missions by extension.