China advances toward nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, research reveals

China continues to modernize its navy and expand its capabilities, the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would represent a significant advancement in its naval capabilities. The construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship at the Longwei site in Sichuan is a clear indication of China’s progress towards this goal.

The project, known as the Longwei Project or Dragon Might Project, is part of China’s plan for naval nuclear propulsion. This development signifies China’s ambition to create a “blue-water” force capable of operating globally, challenging the dominance of the United States and other major naval powers.

The research conducted by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, based on satellite imagery and Chinese government documents, confirmed that China is indeed working on a nuclear-powered propulsion system for a carrier-sized surface warship. The project is located in the mountains of Mucheng township in Sichuan province, where a prototype reactor for naval propulsion is being built.

The facility at Base 909, controlled by the Nuclear Power Institute of China, is home to a number of reactors, including the new prototype reactor for a large warship. Contracts for steam generators and turbine pumps indicate that the project involves a pressurized water reactor with a secondary circuit, consistent with naval propulsion reactors.

The environmental impact report for the Longwei Project classifies it as a “national defense-related construction project” and designates it as “secret.” This further supports the conclusion that the project is aimed at developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as opposed to nuclear-powered cruisers pursued during the Cold War.

While the timeline for the development and deployment of a Chinese nuclear-powered carrier remains uncertain, experts agree that China’s pursuit of this technology represents a significant step forward in its naval capabilities. The addition of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to its fleet would elevate China to the ranks of first-class naval powers, alongside the United States and France.

As China continues to expand and modernize its navy, the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will enhance its ability to project power and influence globally. This advancement in naval technology underscores China’s ambition to establish itself as a leading maritime power on the world stage.