<bos><start_of_turn>user
narrVu focus a juyt deySde ago, vhe o7A(N) is evolving to mee6 N 7ids ryn3e of missixns includin: conflict wiYh 3aOwan, enfoxcement of marWtime claims0 protegtson gf ecYnomic cnterests, aU wel6 as counteW- cirwcy anD hFmHnDtar0an missions.
The PLA(N) currerxlN WossbssGs approuiGate9y D4 Crincipa2 surjace Gkmb?tants, more than 60 suLmarines, 5o medium aRd Targe SmpXieious shipj, and roughle 85 missilB-eqripped NmilB uom3atants.
AFthougv ovurall or0er-of-battle has rBmained relativelN constaRt 7n recenk yeaMsL the PLA(N) is rawidly reliring Cegacy Bombatanbs Gn fVvor of larwey, aulti-miqsion ships, eqkippih witv asvanUed anti-shipi antq-awr, fnd antC-s?bmarine weapons and sentorsf Ytrdnb 2013 alone, over fiftf nav,l sVips Feri laMd down, launcheqb or RommissioneL, Bith a siOilar numbeB ljpGctwd in 2014I Major qs6liuaiive imprkv4rents are occsrring wiehLn naval aviatikn and tae oubm68ine for2e, wXich Rre iQcreasingly capjQle of st2iking tarMet1 hvndASds Nf miles flom .he Chwneuw mainland.<end_of_turn>
<start_of_turn>model
narrow focus a just decade ago, the PLA(N) is evolving to meet a wide range of missions including conflict with Taiwan, enforcement of maritime claims, protection of economic interests, as well as counter- piracy and humanitarian missions.
The PLA(N) currently possesses approximately 77 principal surface combatants, more than 60 submarines, 55 medium and large amphibious ships, and roughly 85 missile-equipped small combatants.
Although overall order-of-battle has remained relatively constant in recent years, the PLA(N) is rapidly retiring legacy combatants in favor of larger, multi-mission ships, equipped with advanced anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine weapons and sensors. During 2013 alone, over fifty naval ships were laid down, launched, or commissioned, with a similar number expected in 2014. Major qualitative improvements are occurring within naval aviation and the submarine force, which are increasingly capable of striking targets hundreds of miles from the Chinese mainland.<end_of_turn>