Type 004: China’s nuclear carrier fast-forged to face down the US
China is rapidly constructing its largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Type 004, which signifies a shift towards blue-water power projection in the Indo-Pacific. The carrier is expected to be larger than existing models and may feature advanced technologies such as electromagnetic catapults. This development is part of China's broader military modernization efforts, aiming to establish a nine-carrier fleet by 2035.
- ▪The Type 004 carrier is being built at the Dalian Shipyard and may be launched by 2032.
- ▪It is expected to be nuclear-powered and larger than China's current carriers.
- ▪The carrier will likely require a substantial number of escorts for its operations.
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As China rapidly builds its largest and potentially first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Type 004 may mark a decisive shift from regional sea denial toward sustained blue-water power projection across the Indo-Pacific. This month, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report showing that China is rapidly constructing its fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, at the Dalian Shipyard in northern China, using commercial satellite imagery and open-source intelligence to track the vessel’s progress. The report said prefabricated hull blocks first appeared in early 2025 and, within less than a year, had evolved into a recognizable carrier hull, underscoring the scale and speed of China’s shipbuilding industry.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Asia Times.
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