Mystery Ship: China's Nuclear Carrier?

A recently released Chinese navy video has sparked international speculation about the propulsion system of its fourth aircraft carrier, currently under construction. The film, titled 'Into The Deep,' highlights China's growing "blue-water" naval capabilities. Hints within the video, including a vessel named "He Jian" which sounds like "nuclear ship" in Chinese, suggest a nuclear power source.

Satellite images taken over the past two years at a shipyard in Dalian, northeast China, indicate the construction of a large vessel comparable in size to American nuclear carriers. Further photographic evidence from February shows structures that appear to be nuclear reactor containment vessels, strengthening these theories. China has not officially confirmed the nature of the new carrier.

This potential development follows the commissioning of China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in November 2025. The Fujian is China's most modern warship, equipped with electromagnetic catapults similar to those on the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford. All three existing carriers, Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian, are conventionally powered.

The Chinese navy has rapidly expanded its fleet, reportedly becoming the world's largest with 234 warships as of recent reports, surpassing the US Navy's 219. Analysts suggest China's increased aircraft carrier capacity is a strategic response to rising global tensions, enabling wider operations in international maritime routes.