China is steadily progressing toward achieving its ambition of developing its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Reports backed by satellite imagery and government documents reveal the construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor at Base 909, located near Leshan in the southwestern province of Sichuan. This is the most significant indication yet of China's drive to add nuclear propulsion to its fleet of aircraft carriers, which would mark a substantial leap forward for the country's navy.
The move to build nuclear-powered carriers aligns with China's strategy to bolster its naval capabilities and project power far beyond its shores. Currently, the Chinese navy claims the title of the largest naval force globally, with rapid modernization efforts underway. If the People's Liberation Army Navy succeeds with nuclear-powered carriers, it would join the elite ranks of naval forces from the United States and France, enhancing China's prestige on the global stage.
Analysts, including Tong Zhao from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggest this development symbolizes both national pride and ambition, indicating China's desire to be viewed as a leading power worldwide. Zhao emphasized the impact such advancements could have on domestic nationalism, reinforcing the notion of China as a resurgent superpower capable of great feats.
Detailed investigations conducted by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies exposed the project’s existence, termed the Longwei Project or Nuclear Power Development Project. Initially suspected to be aimed at producing plutonium or tritium for weapons, recent findings confirm it is centered on creating nuclear propulsion systems for large surface warships. This marks the first solid evidence of China’s intention to develop nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
The satellite imagery from 2020 to 2023 reveals substantial developments at the reactor site, which includes demolition of homes, construction of water intake systems, and recently built facilities for reactor operation. Inside Base 909, researchers discovered six other reactors either operational or decommissioned, highlighting the facility's status as a core part of China's nuclear power initiatives.
Documentation procured by researchers points to the involvement of China Ship Research and Design Center, the agency responsible for aircraft carrier development. This organization has reportedly obtained reactor equipment tagged for installation on large warships, aiding the identification of this reactor as potentially intended for upcoming aircraft carriers.
The design appears to lean toward conventional pressurized water reactors, commonly utilized for naval propulsion, as indicated by the steam generators and turbine pumps mentioned in procurement documents. Environmental impact studies have classified the Longwei Project as ‘national defense-related construction’. Notably, its designation as ‘secret’ suggests how seriously the Chinese government views this project.
While concrete development timelines remain elusive, existing data hints at China gearing up for substantial advancements. China’s naval fleet includes three aircraft carriers, namely the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. The first two are conventionally powered and based on Soviet models, whereas the Fujian, launched last year, is China’s first indigenously-built carrier with electromagnetic launch capabilities similar to those used by the U.S. Navy.
There had been speculation about the construction of two new carriers simultaneously: one more of the existing type and one nuclear-powered Type 004. Such tactics would denote China’s ambitious strategy and potential scalability within their naval shipbuilding efforts.
Interestingly, shortly before the Fujian began its sea trials, officials confirmed the onset of construction for another carrier. Yuan Huazhi, the political commissar of the Chinese navy, teased the announcement of the new carrier's specifics, including whether it would employ nuclear power. This news has sparked excitement and anticipation among analysts and Western military observers alike.
Experts have voiced varying opinions on whether China’s next carrier will be nuclear-powered. Matthew Funaiole from the Center for Strategic and International Studies doubts it and posits any forthcoming carrier will likely focus on iterative improvements rather than radical advancements. Yet, analysts like Nick Childs from the International Institute for Strategic Studies note the Chinese military has taken deliberate, incremental steps toward enhancing its operational capabilities.
Despite these advancements, China has so far conducted its naval operations conservatively, mainly remaining within the range of its shore support. Looking to the future, larger and more powerful carriers—akin to America’s fleets—could significantly alter China’s naval strategies and operational reach.
Overall, developments related to China’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier pose not only strategic military interests but also shape political narratives within and outside China, as the Chinese government seeks to reinforce its image as a formidable global force capable of sustaining extensive maritime operations.
