![\"China](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130517241,imgsize-495795,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/130517241.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nChina has hinted that its fourth aircraft carrier could be nuclear-powered, signaling a major leap in its naval capabilities as it pushes to expand its presence across global waters.The film, \u2018Into The Deep\u2019, was released on the eve of the 77th anniversary of the People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. It showcases China\u2019s transition from coastal defence to a \u201cblue-water\u201d navy capable of operating far from its shores, with footage of drills in the western Pacific and the use of advanced equipment.<\/p>\n Why Iran\u2019s Uranium Stockpile Matters So Much And Why US, China, Russia Want Control<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A notable element in the video is the portrayal of fictional naval officers named after China\u2019s existing aircraft carriers- Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian.A fourth character, \u201cHe Jian\u201d, has drawn particular attention. Analysts note that \u201cHe\u201d sounds like the Chinese word for \u201cnuclear\u201d while \u201cJian\u201d means \u201cship\u201d, hinting at the possibility of a nuclear-powered vessel.The character\u2019s age, 19, also aligns with the sequential pennant numbers of China\u2019s carriers\u201416, 17 and 18\u2014suggesting the next ship could follow the same pattern.<\/p>\n China has not officially confirmed the construction of a new carrier. However, satellite images over the past few years indicate that a large vessel\u2014widely referred to as the Type 004\u2014is being built at a shipyard in Dalian, reported the Independent.The images suggest a ship comparable in size to the United States\u2019 Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Photographs taken earlier this year reportedly show structures resembling nuclear reactor containment systems, further fueling speculation about nuclear propulsion.If confirmed, the carrier would mark a major leap in China\u2019s naval capabilities. It is expected to be a supercarrier with a displacement of 110,000\u2013120,000 tonnes and the capacity to operate more than 100 aircraft. The vessel is also likely to feature electromagnetic catapults capable of launching advanced aircraft such as the J-35 and KJ-600.China currently operates three aircraft carriers, all conventionally powered. The first, Liaoning, was a refitted Soviet-era vessel commissioned in 2012. It was followed by the indigenously built Shandong in 2019.The most advanced of the three, Fujian, was commissioned last November. With a displacement of 80,000 tonnes, it is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), a technology previously used only by the United States.<\/p>\n The developments come as China seeks to expand its maritime reach. The video underscores the navy\u2019s shift toward deep-sea operations, reflecting broader ambitions to secure sea lanes and project power globally.According to US assessments, China could build up to nine aircraft carriers by 2035, in what the Pentagon describes as the Indo-Pacific\u2019s largest carrier expansion since World War II.China already operates the world\u2019s largest naval fleet by number of warships, with 234 vessels compared to the US Navy\u2019s 219. However, the United States continues to dominate in carrier strength, with 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.China\u2019s growing naval strength is also tied to its strategic and territorial interests. A recent article by China\u2019s natural resources ministry called for stronger measures to \u201cprotect\u201d more than 11,000 islands claimed by the country, many located in the East China Sea and South China Sea, as reported by the Independent.Beijing has also expanded its presence in disputed waters through land reclamation, building artificial islands, airstrips and military facilities.Beyond its immediate region, China has increased activity in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, supported by bases in Djibouti and Gwadar, as well as its involvement in Sri Lanka\u2019s Hambantota port.<\/p>\n The expansion of China\u2019s naval capabilities is being closely watched in the region. The Indian Navy currently operates two aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, and is continuing to add more vessels to maintain its presence in the Indian Ocean.As China advances its carrier programme, the unveiling of \u2018Into The Deep\u2019 offers a glimpse into both its current capabilities and its future direction, one that may soon include nuclear-powered carriers.<\/div>\n\nSigns point to a nuclear-powered Type 004<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Expanding naval ambitions<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Regional response<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n