Defence analysts have confirmed, through newly released high-resolution satellite imagery, that China has commenced construction of its fourth aircraft carrier—its most ambitious yet—designated the Type 004. The vessel is taking shape at the Dalian shipyard, marking a turning point in China’s naval modernization and signalling Beijing’s determination to field a true blue-water navy capable of global reach.
Expected to be a nuclear-powered supercarrier displacing 110,000 to 120,000 tons, the Type 004 is poised to become not only the largest warship ever built in Asia but potentially the largest in the world. If completed as projected by the early 2030s, it will be the first nuclear-powered carrier ever deployed by a non-Western nation.
Satellite evidence suggests that a keel-laying ceremony occurred in recent months—an important symbolic milestone underscoring China’s growing confidence in nuclear propulsion technology. The vessel’s enormous displacement would enable it to host a larger air wing, expanded command-and-control spaces, and serve as a floating joint-operations hub for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
Analysts say the Type 004 represents a new phase in China’s decades-long naval rise: a shift from regional force projection to sustained global operations. The supercarrier is expected to integrate cutting-edge phased-array radars, a new generation of shipborne air-defence systems, and a high-capacity integrated electric propulsion (IEP) system capable of powering directed-energy weapons in the future.
Detailed imagery from September 2025 revealed extensive construction activity at Dalian, including large prefabricated hull modules positioned inside dry dock. Earlier photographs from February showed elongated deck sections resembling electromagnetic catapult tracks, suggesting the carrier will rely on four EMALS launch systems—one more than the Fujian (Type 003).
By mid-2025, the shipyard had installed new industrial cranes and reinforced dock structures, consistent with preparations for assembling a supercarrier-sized hull. Additional infrastructure upgrades, such as expanded cooling-water systems and strengthened dock gates, indicate China is preparing for nuclear vessel support.
Meanwhile, renovations at China’s land-based carrier test facility in Wuhan point to upcoming trials of advanced launch and recovery technologies tailored for the Type 004. Chinese social media platforms have been rife with images of new components and heavy construction machinery at Dalian, fuelling public speculation that hull assembly is now well underway.
China’s carrier programme has evolved at extraordinary speed. The journey began with the refurbished Liaoning (Type 001) in 2012, followed by the domestically built Shandong (Type 002) in 2019. The technological leap arrived with the Fujian (Type 003) in 2022, the first Chinese carrier equipped with EMALS.
The Type 004 marks a far more ambitious step: nuclear propulsion—mastered so far only by the navies of the United States and France. Analysts believe China’s experience with the Type 093 and upcoming Type 095 nuclear attack submarines has contributed significantly to this confidence.
Defence experts estimate the Type 004 could carry more than 90 aircraft.
J-35 stealth fighters, China’s equivalent to the U.S. F-35C
KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft, mirroring the U.S. E-2D Hawkeye
Electronic warfare aircraft
Advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) capable of strike and reconnaissance
The nuclear propulsion system will give the carrier unlimited range, enabling long-duration deployments in the Indian Ocean, Middle East, or beyond—far from the traditionally regional focus of the PLAN.
Analysts also expect the carrier to generate enormous electrical output through IEP, opening the door to future integration of directed-energy weapons, including shipborne lasers.
The Type 004’s natural benchmark is the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced carrier. While the Ford displaces around 100,000 tons and carries approximately 75 aircraft, the Type 004 is projected to surpass it in both capacity and adaptability. With four EMALS catapults, it may achieve sortie generation rates competitive with or superior to U.S. standards.
No carrier acts alone, and China is rapidly constructing the escort fleet needed for a full carrier strike group.
Type 055A/B Renhai-class destroyers, with 112 vertical launch cells
Type 054B frigates, optimized for anti-submarine warfare
Type 095 nuclear attack submarines, providing deep-ocean escort capability
This architecture mirrors U.S. Navy doctrine, aiming to ensure the supercarrier operates at the center of a multi-domain task force.
The Type 004’s construction marks a strategic shift with global ramifications. For Washington, it presents a direct challenge to decades of uncontested dominance in carrier warfare. Indo-Pacific allies—including Japan, India, and Australia—are expected to accelerate naval modernization efforts in response.
Yet China still faces hurdles: mastering nuclear propulsion for a carrier, integrating air wings at scale, and developing the institutional experience required for sustained global operations. The U.S. Navy’s seven decades of nuclear carrier expertise remain a formidable advantage.
Despite these challenges, China’s progress is rapid and deliberate. If the Type 004 enters service by the early 2030s, it will reshape maritime power dynamics and push the world toward a new era of multipolar naval competition. As one defence analyst noted, the Type 004 is “not just about prestige—it is about redefining power projection.”
