US vs China Military Power 2026: Defense Spending, Nuclear Arsenal, and Naval Strength

The United States maintains the world's most technologically advanced military in 2026 with a $886 billion defense budget — more than the next 10 countries combined. China's military budget has grown to $225 billion officially (with estimates of actual spending 30-50% higher), and the People's Liberation Army has surpassed the US Navy in total number of warships for the first time. The US maintains significant advantages in aircraft carrier strike groups (11 vs China's 3), nuclear warhead delivery capability, global basing infrastructure, and proven combat integration — while China has closed the gap dramatically on naval tonnage, hypersonic missiles, and anti-satellite capabilities.