China Type 004 Nuclear Aircraft Carrier: China has started building its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This move shows how fast the country is growing its navy. Satellite images from late 2025 show strong activity at the Dalian Shipyard. Large ship parts and special structures seen there suggest nuclear engines are part of the design. Experts believe this new ship is called the Type 004.
This carrier will be very different from China’s older ones like Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian. Those ships use normal fuel. The new Type 004 will use two nuclear reactors. This gives it huge power and a much longer life at sea. The ship will likely weigh more than 100,000 tonnes. This puts it in the same group as the US Gerald R. Ford-class carriers.
GRSE Delivers INS Anjadip: Everything You Need to Know About India’s New ASW Craft
The reactors will also give a lot of electricity. This power can run advanced launch systems and modern sensors. The carrier can send jets into the air faster and keep working for long days without rest. This will help China run big missions far away from its own shores.
China Type 004 Nuclear Aircraft Carrier: Features
The Type 004 carrier will help China become a true blue-water navy. This means it can operate in distant oceans, not just near home. The large deck will allow more fighter jets and support aircraft. Reports say it may carry the J-35 stealth fighter and early warning planes like the KJ-600. These aircraft will help spot threats early and strike targets far away.
China’s move has also raised questions in India. The Indian Navy currently has two aircraft carriers. Both use normal fuel and weigh around 40,000 to 45,000 tonnes. For many years, India has discussed building a third carrier called IAC-2. This ship would be bigger, around 65,000 tonnes, reported Defence.in.
India Carriers or Submarines
Indian defence planners now face a tough decision. A larger carrier could give India more air power at sea. It would allow more flights, more fuel, and heavier weapons. This would help India control large areas of the Indian Ocean.
But such a carrier would cost a lot of money and take many years to build. This could slow down other defence plans. Because of this, many experts now support faster work on nuclear-powered attack submarines, known as SSNs.
NATO Approves £2.5bn Budget to Strengthen Defence in 2026
SSNs can stay below the sea for long periods without coming up, they are fast and very difficult to spot. These submarines can secretly watch and strike big enemy ships, even aircraft carriers. For India SSNs can help keep important sea paths safe and stop rivals from moving freely in key ocean zones.
China and India have different needs. China wants to operate across the world, so it builds huge carriers. India mainly wants to protect nearby waters, so submarines may suit it better. A mix of submarines and a smaller carrier force may work best for India in the long run.
