Chinese Navy Type 004 aircraft carrier construction advances at Dalian

Type 004 construction progresses at Dalian shipyards

Following reports in January that made it possible to identify the laying of the vessel’s keel, newly released images have documented the latest progress in the construction of the Chinese Navy’s fourth aircraft carrier, designated Type 004. The builder can be seen using gantry cranes to fit additional sections. According to the description accompanying the photographs, Dalian shipyards are already carrying out work involving the bow modules and side hangars, underlining the rapid pace at which China is advancing the programme.

It is worth recalling that the Type 004 aircraft carrier is being presented as Beijing’s potential first nuclear-powered vessel of its kind. Although this has not been officially confirmed, local analysts and open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources have begun to suggest that some of the features visible in the material released so far indicate a structure intended to house a reactor, similar to those already seen in designs used by its American counterpart.

A possible nuclear-powered Chinese aircraft carrier

If confirmed, this would be a crucial technical development in overcoming the limitations inherent in a diesel-powered system. Such a system restricts the operations of China’s first three aircraft carriers, depending on the use of replenishment ships or the proximity of suitable ports where refuelling can take place. It would also represent a major achievement for the country’s naval industry, as China could become the first non-Western nation to successfully build a nuclear aircraft carrier. So far, only the United States and France possess this capability.

The swift progress also reflects the Chinese Navy’s long-term plans, which reportedly seek to substantially increase the number of aircraft carriers at its disposal in order to strengthen its global power-projection capability. In this regard, the Pentagon itself addressed the matter in its recent report to the United States Congress on the principal developments and trends involving China and its military capabilities. The report states that Beijing may seek to add as many as six new aircraft carriers by 2035, which, together with the vessels already in service, would form a fleet of nine ships of this type.

Type 004 and the US Navy’s Ford-class programme

Finally, given the inevitable comparison with the United States Navy and its own Ford-class aircraft-carrier construction programme, it should be noted that the service recently announced the start of sea trials for the future USS John F. Kennedy, the second vessel in the series. This marks an important stage in a construction process that has nevertheless been described as delayed: the ship had originally been expected to enter service two years ago, whereas it is now anticipated to do so in 2027. Going forward, the force hopes to reduce such delays by applying lessons learned from installing the new EMALS electromagnetic catapults, the AAG recovery system, a redesigned island and a revised electrical architecture.

Images used for illustrative purposes

You may also be interested in: With the latest deliveries, the Chinese Navy would already have a fleet of 35 Type 052D destroyers in service