New satellite imagery and analysis of Chinese government documents reveal China’s construction of a prototype nuclear reactor intended for a large surface warship, suggesting a critical step toward developing its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, in collaboration with Chinese government records, shared their findings with the Associated Press, marking one of the most substantial indications to date that China is determined to establish a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as a vital part of its maritime ambitions.
With the largest naval fleet by ship count, China’s aspirations have shifted towards creating a “blue-water” navy—one capable of extended operations in international waters and projecting power far from China’s shores. Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers would grant China strategic advantages, giving its navy longer endurance, increased operational flexibility, and extended range, enabling a broader assertion of influence across contested maritime regions.
“Joining the nuclear-powered carrier club would elevate China into the ranks of first-class naval powers, a position currently held by only the United States and France,” stated Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. “For Chinese leaders, such a move would symbolize national prestige, bolstering domestic nationalism and reinforcing China’s standing as a leading global power.”
Researchers from Middlebury made their discovery while investigating a nuclear site outside Leshan, Sichuan Province, that they initially suspected to be a reactor facility dedicated to producing plutonium or tritium for weapons. However, further analysis of satellite imagery and procurement documents indicated that the site, known as the Longwei or “Dragon Might” Project, is likely a prototype reactor for a naval surface warship—an aircraft carrier being the most plausible candidate.
Jeffrey Lewis, a Middlebury professor and one of the lead researchers, noted, “The reactor prototype at Leshan is the first solid evidence that China is, indeed, developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Membership in the nuclear-powered carrier club is an exclusive one, and China appears poised to join.”
The reactor prototype is situated at Base 909 in Mucheng Township, about 70 miles southwest of Sichuan’s capital Chengdu. According to procurement documents, the reactor is expected to become operational soon. Base 909, controlled by the Nuclear Power Institute of China, is managed by the China National Nuclear Corporation, a major player in reactor engineering and testing. The site also hosts six additional reactors that are either functional, decommissioned, or still under construction, according to Middlebury’s report.
Middlebury’s analysis relied heavily on a combination of satellite images, Chinese government documents, environmental impact reports, and local complaints over construction noise and dust. They found that the construction involved a pressurized water reactor, which typically features a secondary circuit—a profile consistent with naval propulsion reactors. Satellite images from 2020 to 2023 revealed the demolition of nearby homes and the construction of water intake infrastructure connected to the reactor site, further supporting their conclusion.
Additional evidence includes contracts for reactor equipment procured by the 701 Institute, formally known as China Ship Research and Design Center. As the entity responsible for the development of China’s aircraft carriers, the institute’s involvement in the Nuclear Power Development Project led researchers to conclude that the sizable reactor would most likely be used for a next-generation aircraft carrier.
Independent verification by Jamie Withorne, an analyst with the Oslo Nuclear Project, corroborated the findings. “From the identifying reports, co-location with other naval reactor facilities, and correlating construction activity, it’s plausible that the Longwei Project is housed at Base 909,” she stated.
While the findings suggest that China is working towards a nuclear propulsion system for its carriers, experts caution that the timeline for deploying such a carrier remains unclear. “There’s no indication of when a nuclear-powered carrier would be constructed or become operational,” Withorne added.
China’s initial aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a repurposed Soviet vessel, was commissioned in 2012, and its second, the Shandong, built domestically on the Soviet model, followed in 2019. Both carriers employ a ski-jump-type launch system. However, with its third carrier, the Fujian, launched in 2022, China demonstrated advancements in carrier technology, implementing an electromagnetic launch system similar to that of the U.S. Navy. The Fujian marked a significant step forward but remains conventionally powered.
Political and military leaders in China have long hinted at a nuclear-powered carrier. In March, Yuan Huazhi, political commissar of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, hinted at the development of a fourth carrier. Speculation suggests that China may build two carriers simultaneously—one as a continuation of the Fujian-type design and another potentially nuclear-powered, indicating an accelerated production capacity.
Some experts remain skeptical. Matthew Funaiole, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, doubts that China’s fourth carrier will be nuclear-powered. Instead, he anticipates incremental improvements to the Fujian-class design. However, Funaiole added, “Developing nuclear propulsion for future warships would ultimately allow China to power advanced systems like electromagnetic launchers, cutting-edge radars, and high-tech weaponry.”
Nick Childs, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, pointed out China’s cautious deployment history, focusing on areas within the range of shore support. Yet, nuclear-powered carriers would expand China’s operational range, projecting power in regions beyond its current reach, potentially bringing China’s carrier capabilities closer to those of the United States.
A nuclear-powered carrier offers substantial advantages, from extended operational range to reduced dependence on refueling. Nuclear propulsion frees up storage space, allowing carriers to carry more aircraft fuel and weaponry. In a prolonged conflict, these carriers would operate with far greater endurance, bypassing the logistical limitations of refueling ships and enhancing combat readiness.
“This would mark a pivotal advancement in China’s carrier development,” said Childs. “Adding nuclear power brings China’s capabilities closer to the U.S. Navy’s, enhancing its ability to operate advanced systems and potentially boosting its operational autonomy in critical maritime theaters.”
Such an evolution is vital for a nation that has shifted from a coastal defense navy to one capable of offshore operations. Zhao of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suggested that nuclear-powered carriers would allow the Chinese navy to maneuver in critical regions like the First Island Chain, which includes territories like Taiwan and other contested regions in the South China Sea.
China’s maritime influence has grown alongside its naval expansion, both numerically and technologically. China’s shipyards are producing vessels at an unprecedented rate, with hundreds of new ships added annually, compared to a handful produced by the United States. According to a 2023 report to the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon noted China’s increasing emphasis on maritime strength, citing the rapid modernization of its fleet, including advanced carrier designs.
The Pentagon’s report emphasized that China’s new carriers extend air defense and operational capabilities far beyond shore support, enabling China to conduct operations in broader strategic areas. Such reach aligns with the goals set by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has called for a “first-class” navy as part of his plan for national rejuvenation.
Xi’s ambitions have a direct impact on the modernization of China’s navy, with strategic documents prioritizing the “transition from near-seas defense to far-seas missions.” The nuclear-powered carrier initiative aligns with this shift, positioning China to extend its reach across the Indo-Pacific and project influence into international waters.
China’s carrier development has profound implications for regional security, particularly concerning Taiwan and the broader Western Pacific. The United States, obligated by law to assist Taiwan in deterring Chinese aggression, maintains a network of bases and alliances across the Pacific. A nuclear-powered carrier could enable China to counterbalance U.S. presence, increasing Beijing’s leverage in matters it considers regional issues, such as disputes in the South China Sea.
Zhao observed that nuclear carriers could further embolden China’s stance on regional disputes. “These carriers could extend Chinese operations into the Western Pacific, posing a challenge to the U.S. military’s regional influence and limiting its intervention options.”
