China’s Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier: China is working on building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, a move that could challenge the United States’ dominance in the Pacific. While China already has the largest navy in the world by number of ships, it now wants to close the technology gap with the U.S. by creating ships that can sail for years without needing to refuel. This could change the balance of power in the Pacific and allow China to strengthen its military presence far from its own shores.
According to Army Recognition, China right now operates three aircraft carriers- the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. These ships are a big step forward for China, but they still rely on diesel engines, which require frequent refuelling.
This limits how far they can go and how long they can stay at sea. Unlike the U.S. Navy, which has many bases around the world for refuelling, China must rely on ships that supply fuel at sea. This works for short missions but makes it hard for China to project power far from home.
China’s Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier
Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers could solve this problem. Unlike diesel engines, nuclear reactors allow ships to operate for decades without refueling. This gives them much more freedom to travel long distances and stay at sea for long periods. The U.S. Navy already uses this technology on its Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers, and France has a nuclear-powered carrier called the Charles de Gaulle.
China is now working on its own nuclear reactors for warships. A research centre in Sichuan Province, called Base 909, is leading this effort. Instead of using multiple reactors like the old U.S. carrier USS Enterprise, China might use a more modern design like the reactors on the latest U.S. carriers. While China’s newest carrier, the Fujian, does not have nuclear power yet, experts believe China is preparing to make this big leap in technology.
China’s Supercarrier Ambitions
China is not stopping at nuclear power. Reports suggest it is building a new Type 004 aircraft carrier, which could be even bigger than the U.S. Navy’s most advanced carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. Satellite images and experts say this supercarrier could carry more than 100 aircraft and use advanced technology like electromagnetic catapults, which are also used on U.S. carriers.
China to Host Russia and Iran for Nuclear Talks as Trump Pushes for Weapons Deal
If China succeeds in building this supercarrier, it would be a major step forward. It would allow China to project power far beyond its borders, potentially operating near places like Guam, Hawaii, or even the Indian Ocean. This would give China a stronger military presence in areas where the U.S. has long been dominant.
Risks for China
Building and maintaining nuclear-powered carriers is not easy. It requires a lot of money, advanced technology, and skilled workers. China will need to overcome these challenges before it can deploy a fleet of nuclear-powered carriers.
Another big challenge is protecting these large ships from modern threats, like long-range missiles. China will need to develop strong defense systems, such as lasers, electronic warfare, and missile interceptors, to keep its carriers safe. It will also need advanced surveillance and intelligence systems to detect and respond to threats quickly.
China’s growing military power could also increase tensions with the U.S. and its allies, who are closely watching China’s actions. As China works to expand its navy, the balance of power in the Pacific could shift, leading to new challenges and uncertainties in the region.
