China has reportedly commenced the construction of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a significant milestone in its naval modernisation programme.
Recent satellite imagery from late 2025 confirms activity at the Dalian Shipyard, where large hull modules and containment structures consistent with nuclear propulsion have been identified.
This vessel, widely assessed to be the Type 004, is expected to feature twin nuclear reactors, marking a major technological leap for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
This development signals a clear departure from China's previous conventionally powered carriers—the Liaoning, Shandong, and the Fujian.
Unlike its predecessors, the new Type 004 is projected to displace upwards of 100,000 tonnes, placing it in the same league as the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class supercarriers.
The adoption of nuclear propulsion will grant the vessel unlimited range, allowing it to operate globally without the logistical constraints of frequent refuelling.
Furthermore, the immense electrical power generated by onboard reactors will support advanced electromagnetic launch systems (EMALS) and next-generation sensors, enabling high-tempo operations for extended periods.
A supercarrier of this magnitude will provide the Chinese Navy with the endurance required for sustained "blue-water" missions far beyond its home waters.
The increased deck space and catapult capacity will allow for a larger and more diverse air wing, likely including the J-35 stealth fighter and fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft such as the KJ-600.
The decision to utilise twin reactors suggests a design heavily focused on redundancy and combat resilience, underscoring Beijing’s long-term goal of challenging US naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
China’s rapid naval expansion has intensified the debate within India regarding its own maritime force structure. The Indian Navy, which currently operates two conventionally powered carriers in the 40,000–45,000 tonne class, faces a critical strategic choice.
While there has been a longstanding proposal for a third, larger carrier (IAC-2), recent reports suggest a potential shift in priority. Defence planners are increasingly weighing the immense financial and industrial cost of a 65,000-tonne carrier against the urgent need for nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
Proponents of a larger Indian carrier argue that it would significantly boost air power at sea.
A larger deck would offer higher sortie rates, greater fuel and weapons storage, and the ability to launch heavier aircraft. This would enhance India's ability to project power and maintain sea control within the Indian Ocean Region.
However, building such a vessel would require massive capital investment and could take over a decade to complete, potentially draining resources from other vital defence projects.
Conversely, accelerating the indigenous Project 75 Alpha SSN programme is viewed by many experts as a more cost-effective and asymmetric response to China’s growing fleet.
Nuclear-powered attack submarines offer superior stealth, speed, and indefinite submerged endurance. They are capable of threatening high-value surface targets—including enemy aircraft carriers—while remaining undetected.
For India, a robust fleet of SSNs would serve as a powerful deterrent, capable of denying adversaries access to critical sea lanes and choke points in the Indian Ocean.
Ultimately, the diverging paths of the two nations reflect their distinct strategic realities. China’s geography and global ambitions favour large carrier strike groups for distant operations, whereas India’s primary focus remains on sea denial and securing its own maritime backyard.
As China enters the exclusive club of nuclear-carrier operators, India may find that a balanced approach—combining a decisive push for nuclear submarines with a carefully managed carrier force—offers the most prudent path forward.
The decisions made in New Delhi today will be pivotal in defining the balance of naval power in the region for decades to come.
