China Is Building Its Biggest Aircraft Carrier Yet

4 min read

China is building its largest aircraft carrier yet at Dalian Shipyard, satellite images show. The ship, often called the Type 004, could hit the water in 2027.

Key Points

Images show a hull about 320 meters long, still growing in a dry dock.
Many analysts believe the carrier will use nuclear power, but China has not confirmed it.
One report points to a 2027 launch, but China has set no official date.

What We Know About China’s Aircraft Carrier

China’s fourth carrier has been under construction at Dalian Shipyard since at least 2024. The yard sits in Liaoning province in northeast China.

The defense news site The War Zone studied satellite images from August 2026. It estimated the hull at about 1,050 feet, or 320 meters, long and 151 feet wide. These are estimates from imagery, not official figures.

The ship will likely grow wider once workers add its full flight deck.

Dry docks like this one let workers build huge hull sections on land. Water then floods the dock when the ship is ready to float.

Good to know. Most details about this ship come from satellite images. Treat size and launch claims as estimates until China confirms them.

How It Compares With Other Carriers

For comparison, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates China’s newest carrier, the Fujian, at about 1,037 feet long. The American carrier Gerald R. Ford is 1,106 feet long.

If current estimates hold, the new ship could be China’s biggest warship ever. Some reports call it the world’s largest carrier under construction, but that claim is not confirmed.

Ship	Length (Estimate or Reported)
New Chinese carrier (hull so far)	About 1,050 feet, estimate
Fujian	About 1,037 feet, estimate
Gerald R. Ford	1,106 feet, reported

The United States Navy lists details of its carriers on its official fact file.

Nuclear Power Is Likely but Unconfirmed

Analysts have spotted two structures that look like reactor buildings. That is strong evidence of nuclear power, The War Zone reported. However, it said nuclear propulsion “has still not been definitively confirmed.”

A nuclear carrier can sail far longer without refueling. Only the United States and France operate nuclear-powered carriers today.

Experts also expect the ship to use electromagnetic catapults to launch planes. China’s Fujian carrier already uses this technology.

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When Could It Launch?

Military Watch Magazine reported that a launch could come in 2027. China has not announced a date. The War Zone said the timing of the launch and commissioning “remains to be seen.”

Launching a ship means floating it for the first time. After that, years of fitting out and sea trials usually follow before it joins the fleet.

Why It Matters

The Pentagon has assessed that China’s navy aims to have nine carriers by 2035. A large new carrier would let China operate planes farther from its coast.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has tracked the build through its satellite image analysis. Analysts expect more clues as construction moves ahead.

New images may show the flight deck, the island tower and the catapult tracks. Each step will help experts judge the ship’s final size and role.

Satellite images can be powerful, but fake or edited pictures also spread online. Our guide on how to spot fake images and deepfakes explains what to look for.

Try this today. When you see a dramatic satellite photo online, check who took it and when. Look for the same image on a trusted news site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Type 004 aircraft carrier?

It is the popular name for China’s fourth aircraft carrier, now under construction at Dalian Shipyard. China has not released official details.

Will the new carrier be nuclear-powered?

Analysts see strong signs of nuclear power in satellite images. China has not confirmed it.

How many aircraft carriers does China have?

China operates three carriers, the Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian. The new ship would be its fourth.

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Editor’s Note

This story is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Size figures are estimates from satellite images. China has not confirmed the ship’s power source or launch date, and details may change.

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