English 
Spanish 
4 min read
0 comments
China's nuclear aircraft carrier development is accelerating, evidence captured by satellites
In a milestone that could redefine the balance of naval power in the Pacific, China is moving toward building its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 11, based on analysis of satellite imagery and government documents. Chinese.
According to researchers at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, the project is linked to the development of a land-based nuclear reactor in Leshan, Sichuan province. The facility, located in the mountains, operates under a classified project known as Longwei Project, Or "Dragon Power”.
This development reflects China's ambitions to build a navy capable of operating far from its territorial waters, cementing its position as a global power.
- Brazilian naval sector breaks record with R$31 billion in investments in 2024 and registers highest value in 12 years
- The titanium Russian submarine that terrorized NATO in the Cold War: Alpha is still seen as the most powerful machine of destruction in naval history at 81,4 meters!
- How is a historic investment boosting the economy, creating jobs and modernizing naval infrastructure in northern Brazil?
- Nuclear submarines are objects of power and innovation – The leading role in the technological race that will redefine defense and global sovereignty.
China's accelerated navy modernization goes far beyond new nuclear aircraft carrier
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), already the world’s largest by number of ships, is rapidly transforming. Building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would be a game-changer for Beijing, providing unprecedented operational reach and endurance. It would allow China to expand its presence in strategic regions such as the Western Pacific and the disputed South China Sea.
Currently, China’s aircraft carriers, including the Liaoning, Shandong and the newer Type 003 Fujian, operate on conventional propulsion. While the Fujian, launched in 2022, has introduced modern technologies such as electromagnetic launch systems, it still lacks the range and endurance of nuclear-powered carriers, a capability essential for long-range missions.
Longwei Project Details
Satellite imagery from 2020 to 2023 shows extensive construction at Base 909, a facility 70 miles from Chengdu run by the Nuclear Power Institute of China. The base has advanced infrastructure, including water intake systems and reactor housing. This configuration is consistent with naval propulsion requirements, showing that efforts are directly tied to the aircraft carrier program. Type 004.
Additional documents, such as environmental impact studies and procurement records, support this theory. The files detail the acquisition of specific reactor equipment for installation on large warships, solidifying suspicions that the prototype is intended for aircraft carriers.
international reaction
China’s advances have not gone unnoticed. Pentagon reports indicate growing concern about China’s naval modernization, which it sees as a direct threat to U.S. military dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite still lagging behind in operational experience and lacking in aircraft carriers, China’s pace of naval construction underscores its long-term ambitions.
A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would be a strategic game-changer, potentially challenging the dominance of the United States and its allies in areas such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. Beijing has been focused on expanding its influence beyond the First Island Chain, an area that has historically served as a natural barrier to its maritime operations.
Geopolitical impacts
As the PLAN evolves from a force focused on coastal defense to a distant-water navy, the global implications are becoming clear. The construction of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier marks a significant step in this transition. However, analysts warn that China will still face technical and logistical challenges before its carrier program reaches the level of sophistication and efficiency of the U.S. Navy.
O Longwei Project symbolizes more than a technological breakthrough; it is a sign of rapid progress by China’s military-industrial complex. The international community now faces a dilemma: how to balance containing China’s ambitions without triggering an escalation that could destabilize regional security.
While there is still no clear timetable for the launch of China’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, the pace of development indicates that the PLAN is determined to turn its aspirations into reality. Small mistakes in planning, however, could jeopardize critical deadlines for completion.
