Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
Associated Press6 days
Report: China Builds Prototype Reactor for Nuclear Aircraft Carrier
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Above: A photo taken on Nov. 6, 2024, shows the construction site of Units 7 and 8 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, China. Image copyright: Costfoto/Contributor/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Facts
Researchers at the Middlebury Institute claim they have discovered China's construction of a land-based prototype nuclear reactor — which they say is specifically designed for a large surface warship — at Base 909 in Sichuan Province.
According to satellite imagery and procurement documents from 2020 to 2023, the Longwei Project, also known as the Dragon Might Project, includes the construction of water intake infrastructure, steam generators, and turbine pumps consistent with naval propulsion reactors.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Nuclear-powered carriers represent a crucial step toward building a world-class navy capable of protecting China's maritime interests and ensuring regional stability. The technology enables extended operations in disputed areas and demonstrates China's growing technological sophistication in naval development. This advancement naturally follows China's peaceful rise as a maritime power.
Anti-China narrative
The development of nuclear-powered carriers significantly escalates military tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and challenges US naval supremacy. This technological leap enables China to project power far beyond its shores and potentially threatens freedom of navigation in disputed waters, including neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea.
