Have China’s plans for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier taken another step forward?
Recent reports saying a prototype reactor has been built in Sichuan ‘have clearly highlighted’ the country’s ambitions, one analyst said
Carriers powered by nuclear reactors do not need to refuel as often as conventionally powered ones. This gives them much greater range and also allows them to carry more fuel and weapons for their aircraft.
Associated Press reported on November 11 that China had built a prototype reactor for a large surface warship on a mountain site outside the city of Leshan, in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
Research provided to the news agency by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California concluded that China’s 701 Institute, which is responsible for aircraft carrier development, had procured reactor equipment “intended for installation on a large surface warship”.
The analysis was based on publicly available documents, including an environmental impact report that described it as a “national defence-related” project, and satellite images taken between 2020 and 2023 showing the construction of facilities related to the reactor site.
The United States has 11 carriers that use the technology and the only other nuclear-powered carrier in service is France’s Charles de Gaulle.
