China’s construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for large surface warships signals a major advancement in its military capabilities, potentially allowing it to develop nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Analysts at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, using satellite imagery and Chinese government documents, concluded that the reactor, located at the Nuclear Power Institute of China's Base 909 in Sichuan, is intended for a large carrier-sized surface warship.
This suggests China is moving closer to deploying its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The pursuit of nuclear-powered carriers would provide China’s navy, already the largest in the world by ship count, with the ability to operate further from home for extended periods without refueling.
This aligns with China’s goal of establishing a “blue-water” navy capable of global operations, a significant strategic expansion from its historically regional focus.
Nuclear-powered carriers offer key advantages, such as extended range, increased storage for aircraft fuel and weaponry, and the ability to generate power for advanced systems like radars and electromagnetic catapults
The U.S and France operate nuclear-powered carriers, with the U.S. maintaining 11, enabling constant deployments worldwide, including in the Indo-Pacific region.
China’s rapid naval modernisation, particularly in aircraft carrier development, has been a growing concern for the Pentagon. Its third carrier, the Type 003 "Fujian", was the first conventionally-powered carrier designed and built domestically.
Reports indicate that China has begun work on a fourth carrier, though it has not clarified if it will be nuclear-powered.
Middlebury’s analysis relied on satellite images, procurement documents, and government files, which pointed to the installation of a reactor intended for military applications on a large surface warship. This prototype reactor is seen as a key step toward enabling China to build a nuclear-powered carrier, enhancing its strategic reach and further shifting the global maritime balance of power.
Source:
AP
