China Begins Construction of Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier

China has begun construction of its fourth nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

This is reported by The War Zone.

At the same time, there are reports that Beijing is probably continuing to work on another aircraft carrier with a traditional engine.

Satellite images show that the new aircraft carrier, known as Type 004, is gradually taking shape at a shipyard in Dalian, Liaoning Province.

The photos show elements that look like a reactor containment vessel, a key sign of a nuclear facility. The design resembles solutions used on US nuclear aircraft carriers, although it is possible that this is a test ship or module.

Previously released renderings of the Type 004 showed similarities between its design and the US Ford-class aircraft carriers and the upcoming French PANG project, both of which are equipped with nuclear power systems.

In its latest assessment of China’s military power, the Pentagon does not explicitly mention a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, but notes that the ‘next generation’ of Chinese ships of this class will have greater autonomy and power, allowing Chinese naval battle groups to operate far beyond territorial waters.

In March of this year, Chinese Navy Political Commissioner Yuan Huazhi confirmed the start of construction of the fourth aircraft carrier, but refused to specify whether it would be equipped with a nuclear facility.

Back in 2024, evidence emerged of the existence of a land-based prototype of a nuclear reactor for a large surface ship. The project, known as Dragon Might, is located near the city of Leshan in Sichuan Province.

The nuclear power plant will provide the Type 004 with an almost unlimited range and cover the high energy needs of modern sensors and combat systems.

The implementation of this project will allow China to significantly reduce the technological gap with the US Navy and become the second country after France to operate a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Satellite imagery shows that construction work at the Dalian shipyard continued until at least May 2024, when the first modules of the future flight deck were spotted.

Recently, it was reported that China officially commissioned the third aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy – Fujian.