China’s fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, is taking shape at Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning province, with satellite imagery showing a more complete bow and hull. The ship, expected to be nuclear-powered, would mark a significant upgrade in the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) power projection.
The Type 004 is being built in the same dry dock where China’s first two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were constructed. Its current hull measures around 1,050 feet (320 meters) in length and 151 feet (46 meters) in beam, with dimensions likely to grow as construction progresses. Evidence suggests the carrier will feature electromagnetic catapults, similar to the Fujian (Type 003), and could be China’s first nuclear-powered carrier, offering unlimited range and enhanced power generation.
Questions remain about the carrier’s air wing, expected to include stealthy J-35 fighters, KJ-600 airborne early warning planes, and various drones. The PLAN is also expanding its amphibious assault ship fleet, with the Sichuan already equipped with an electromagnetic catapult. The Type 004’s launch and commissioning dates are still unknown, but its rapid construction reflects China’s growing naval shipbuilding capacity.
