The possibility that the Navy of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLAN) may choose to equip its next aircraft carrier with a nuclear propulsion system is once again gaining relevance. Analysts indicate that the country may be moving toward adopting this propulsion technology for its future capital ships, as its growing surface fleet extends its presence in the Pacific.
The People’s Republic of China currently maintains the largest navy in the world, with more than 370 ships and submarines, according to the Pentagon itself. Among them are three aircraft carriers, all conventionally powered. The most recent, the Type 003 Fujian, was commissioned in November during a ceremony led by President Xi Jinping, as part of the stated goal of building “world-class” armed forces.
Unlike the United States, which operates eleven nuclear aircraft carriers, Chinese models require frequent refueling, which limits their range, mobility, and endurance. U.S. carriers only need a single reactor refueling during their entire 50-year service life.
Strategic projection
The role of aircraft carriers as platforms for maritime power projection has gained special importance for Beijing. In recent months, it has increased the frequency of its deployments, including a dual operation in the Western Pacific that demonstrated a growing ability to operate far from its immediate waters.
For example, at the end of June this year, the carriers Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17) carried out a series of drills in which they conducted simulated engagements against each other. These exercises were part of the most recent deployment of both units in the Western Pacific. What also stands out is that this drill, which involved a large number of fighters and personnel, took place shortly after other exercises conducted by the same ships.
Additionally, one of these drills was carried out beyond the “first island chain.” On that occasion, the goal of the deployment—according to the institution’s spokesperson, Captain Wang Xuemeng—was to test the capability of both carriers to operate in distant seas and as part of joint operations.
As a final example of the intense and regular high-seas naval exercises involving Chinese carriers in the region, it is also worth recalling that in September 2024, China simultaneously deployed its three carriers: Liaoning, Shandong, and the (then not yet officially commissioned) Fujian.
Within this constant presence and demonstration of military power by Beijing in the region, it is understood that the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, stated: “The future development of China’s aircraft carriers will be considered comprehensively based on national defense needs,” adding that the country’s defense policy would remain “defensive.”
On the other hand, analyst Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council explained that if China’s objective is to challenge U.S. military influence beyond East Asia, “nuclear-powered aircraft carriers would be an important piece of the puzzle.” However, he emphasized that China must first consolidate a conventional force capable of maintaining a “cohesive” presence east of Taiwan.
In the event of a conflict over the island, the presence of Chinese carriers in the Philippine Sea could complicate a U.S. intervention.
Specialist Collin Koh of Singapore’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies argued that the Chinese Navy’s focus has shifted toward projection into “far seas,” making nuclear propulsion consistent with this strategy. The adoption of electromagnetic catapults—high-energy-demand systems—further reinforces this need.
Why does Collin Koh say nuclear propulsion is “consistent,” while Kitsch Liao argues China must first “consolidate its conventional force”? One possible answer lies in the hypersonic missiles China has been developing and producing. The strategy might be for the three currently operational carriers to focus on the area up to the first island chain—“securing the rear”—along with coastal missile deployments, while future nuclear carriers operate beyond the first island chain.
China’s technology has advanced very rapidly in recent years. The Liaoning and Shandong are based on Soviet design (Admiral Kuznetsov) but modernized for China’s current needs. Later, Beijing focused on designing its own carrier, resulting in the Fujian, which is not only entirely Chinese in design but also equipped with electromagnetic catapults.
Considering all this, it would not be surprising if the next step were the design, development, and production of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Challenges for nuclear propulsion
Although nuclear propulsion would provide sustained energy for high-intensity operations, not all analysts consider it decisive. A Chinese military observer noted that “the logistical support required for a global navy far exceeds the fuel needs of the aircraft carrier.” He also stressed that escort ships, carrier-borne aircraft, and helicopters would still require large amounts of conventional fuel.
While China is expanding its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, it still lacks a logistics network comparable to that of the United States. The U.S. Navy can resupply in allied territories, allowing sustained long-duration operations.
For China, the People’s Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti (Horn of Africa) is the only foreign military base with a port capable of refueling ships and embarked vehicles (given that the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia is not Chinese property—China merely financed it and has a defense agreement with Cambodia). It is clear that if China seeks to rival the U.S. globally, beyond building nuclear-powered carriers, it must simultaneously develop multiple bases around the world with deep-water port facilities.
Collin Koh warned that installing nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers would present technical and safety challenges, as it would be the first time China equips a large surface vessel with such technology. Liao added that training specialized personnel also represents an obstacle: China operates 12 nuclear submarines, a relatively small number compared to the U.S. and Russia, which affects the training pipeline for future crews.
Progress on the Type 004?
Although Beijing has issued no official statements, as early as July 2024 Zona Militar reported that China might already be developing its fourth aircraft carrier. Later, in 2025, satellite images released in February highlighted what could be details of its construction, characteristics, and capabilities.
Subsequently, in October, additional (again unofficial) images surfaced, which likewise did not reveal specific structural details. However, analysts note that the level of activity in the area suggests steady progress on what is expected to be the next large unit of the Chinese fleet.
Conclusion
Although there is still no official information from China on the construction of a fourth aircraft carrier—let alone that it will be nuclear—it is important to anticipate that such a development would not be at all far-fetched. Since current President Xi Jinping took office in 2014, China’s foreign policy has shifted dramatically. Until that year, the country adhered to the “KLP” doctrine (Keep a Low Profile), but since then Beijing has demonstrated its ambitions to become the regional hegemon as a first step, and likely to challenge U.S. global hegemony thereafter.
Images for illustration purposes only.
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