Defense Secretary Mark Esper blew Naval growth projections out of the water Tuesday when he announced a goal of more than 500 manned and unmanned ships by 2045.

Citing China’s military growth as a motivating factor, the defense secretary discussed the recent report Battle Force 2045. The plan would also help the Navy reach a congressionally mandated goal of 355 “traditional,” manned ships by 2035, matching a Chinese benchmark.