In this accounting, a warship counts only after fitting out, crewing, and commissioning because a launched hull is not yet operationally useful. The alternative convention treats launch as evidence of near-future force strength. Recognizing the different thresholds explains why two defensible-looking fleet totals can disagree while measuring different levels of readiness.
Notable Point · 2:11:11-2:11:59
Why launched ships are not yet fleet strength
A disagreement over Chinese fleet totals turns on whether a launched hull counts immediately or only after fitting out, crewing, and commissioning.