World

China Accelerates Construction of Largest Aircraft Carrier, Possible 2027 Launch

By Swati Gandhi

China is speeding up work on its fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, which may become the nation’s first nuclear‑powered carrier. U.S. researchers estimate the vessel could be launched as early as 2027, aligning with the People’s Liberation Army’s centenary on August 1. The Washington‑based Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the Type 004 had reached a construction stage comparable to China’s third carrier, the Fujian, in May 2021. The Fujian was launched in June 2022, about a year later, suggesting a 2027 launch for the Type 004 is plausible. Analysts caution that the carrier’s larger size, more advanced propulsion system, and potential construction challenges could affect the timeline.

The carrier is being built at Dalian Shipyard in northeastern China. Satellite imagery shows rapid progress since prefabricated hull sections appeared in early 2025. By October 2026, the hull measured roughly 322 metres long and 46 metres wide, approaching the size of U.S. Navy carriers. The completed vessel is expected to exceed the 333‑metre length of Nimitz‑class carriers and approach or surpass the 337‑metre Gerald R. Ford class. Janes estimates a final hull length of 336–339 metres, though exact dimensions remain uncertain.

The Type 004 is projected to feature an electromagnetic aircraft launch system and a displacement near 110,000 tonnes, potentially making it the world’s largest aircraft carrier. A larger carrier would allow more aviation fuel, weapons, maintenance facilities, crew quarters, and machinery, and its expanded flight deck could support simultaneous launch and recovery operations.

Images from November at Dalian Shipyard show internal structures consistent with a nuclear reactor arrangement. China’s defense industry has also advanced sixth‑generation fighter jets, which could give Beijing an early advantage in deploying such aircraft on carriers.

China aims to add at least six carriers to its fleet by 2035, potentially expanding from three to nine vessels. Achieving this would require a significant increase in shipbuilding capacity, possibly constructing multiple carriers concurrently. A larger fleet could broaden China’s military options, enabling sustained carrier operations in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific.

The Pentagon report highlighted China’s progress in carriers, sixth‑generation fighters, and nuclear weapons as part of the country’s historic military growth, suggesting increased vulnerability for the United States.