China is building its fourth aircraft carrier, designated Type 004, at the Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning province. Recent satellite images show a more complete bow and indicate the vessel may be nuclear‑powered.

The ship follows three existing carriers—Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian—and is expected to be larger than the Fujian, which measures about 994 feet in length. The Type 004 appears to be roughly 1,050 feet long and 151 feet wide, based on the latest imagery.

Construction began in 2024 in the same dry dock used for Liaoning and Shandong. Satellite views reveal two reactor containment structures that resemble those on U.S. nuclear carriers, suggesting a nuclear propulsion system, though this has not been confirmed.

The Type 004 is intended to operate CATOBAR aircraft, similar to the U.S. Ford‑class carrier, and could support a larger air wing that may include the J‑35 stealth fighter, KJ‑600 early‑warning plane, J‑15 variants, unmanned combat aerial vehicles, and helicopters.

China also is constructing a large amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, which features an electromagnetic catapult and a drone‑focused air component. The pace of construction reflects China’s expanding naval shipbuilding capacity, which the Pentagon estimates could reach nine carriers by 2035.

The United States has faced delays in its own carrier program, including the Ford‑class, and recent political statements have called for a return to steam catapults and hydraulic elevators. The commissioning date for the Type 004 remains undetermined.

The continued development of the Type 004 underscores China’s growing ability to project power across the Indo‑Pacific region.