China’s fresh nuclear-powered carrier ambitions are a strong step in the direction of challenging US naval supremacy and expanding its international reach.
China is making progress toward its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to the Associated Press ( AP ) report from this month. The country is building a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship.
AP mentions the creation, confirmed by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, marks a major step in China’s marine development.
China’s wider plan to increase its sea power and expand its marine operations abroad includes the construction of the design reactor at Base 909 in Sichuan Province. It says the bomb’s building coincides with President Xi Jinping’s perception of building a “first-class” army.
AP mentions that, unlike their conventional powered counterparts, nuclear-powered carriers can be at sea long without recharging and provide more room for aviation fuel and weapons, enhancing their operating capabilities.
It points out that only the US and France now run nuclear-powered ships, with France and the US maintaining a ship of 11.
According to the report, China’s decision to produce such technology underlines its desire to issue US naval dominance and establish a genuine “blue-water” navy capable of conducting international operations.
It also mentions this action is piece of China’s fast ship modernization, which includes the latest commissioning of its second conventionally powered carrier, the Fujian, and continued work on a third carrier.
China may become the second nation to work for warships as a result of recent advancements in nuclear locomotion for its aircraft carriers.
A nuclear-powered carrier, according to Asia Times, would have virtually unlimited range and the capacity to power advanced systems like the electromagnetic aircraft launch system ( EMALS ).
This systems, already in use on China’s Chinese provider, allows for more efficient and less harmful aircraft launches, enabling more sorties and the release of plane carrying more fuel and weapons.
Also, nuclear-powered companies are seen as fame assets, reinforcing China’s picture as a worldwide power. Nuclear port’s strategic benefits, such as increased mission costs and sustained operations without refueling, make it a powerful option for China.
Propulsion pitfalls
However, Héloïse Fayet and Jean-Louis Lozier mention in a November 2023 report for Institut Français des Relations Internationales ( IFRI ) that nuclear propulsion, while offering strategic advantages like extended endurance and stealth, requires substantial expertise and a highly specialized infrastructure.
Due to factors like the need for robust safety protocols, especially radiation protection for crews in tight spaces, and the extreme conditions that vessels face, such as rapid speed changes and shock resistance, Fayet and Lozier point out that nuclear propulsion technology is complex.
They mention engineering and operational demands are compounded by a need for ongoing expertise, typically sustained through continuous civil-military nuclear collaboration, which few nations possess.
China may be able to use nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to power its entire region, especially in the Indian Ocean and Pacific, but it may be constrained by a lack of resupply and logistics centers. While China has been investing significantly in replenishment-at-sea (RAS ) capabilities, these do not replace friendly ports and bases.
Prashant Hosur Suhas and Christopher Colley discuss how logistical difficulties and geographic disadvantages prevent China from expanding its navy and adding advanced warships and aircraft carriers in a May 2024 article.
Suhas and Colley mention that China struggles to maintain a strong naval presence as a result of the need for at-sea replenishment and the absence of nearby friendly ports. They note India’s strategic advantage in the Indian Ocean is underscored by its geographical proximity, established naval infrastructure, and strategic partnerships with the US.
They claim that India’s advantages in the Indian Ocean will likely continue for a while despite China’s efforts to overcome them.
Further, Isaac Kardon mentions that China lacks the extensive network of military installations and alliances that support US influence there in a February 2023 Foreign Policy Brief.
Kardon points out that China feels more pressure to defend its interests abroad in the Indian Ocean as a result of the growing US-China conflict.
He claims that Djibouti, China’s only official overseas base, is limited in terms of its operational utility, primarily serving non-combat purposes like counterpiracy and humanitarian assistance.
He says that to extend its reach, China relies heavily on dual-use commercial ports —over 25 in the region—as logistical hubs for the People’s Liberation Army–Navy’s ( PLA-N) expanding “far seas” mission. However, he says China’s economic dependence on Indian Ocean shipping routes remains a strategic vulnerability.
According to Kardon, China’s inability to project power and guard critical sea lanes could lead to unexpected outages and crises as it seeks to establish a stable, independent security posture across the Indian Ocean.
Pacific Power Projection
In a US Institute of Peace article from July 2022, Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle mention that China’s strategic ambitions in the Pacific islands have increased thanks to a security agreement that allowed Chinese naval vessels to dock and replenish in the Solomon Islands.
According to Harding and Pohle, this move parallels historical precedents, such as Imperial Japan’s pre-World War II base constructions, and raises significant regional security concerns.
However, they point out that China’s efforts to establish a military presence in the Pacific were met with resistance, as evidenced by local governments in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Direct security cooperation, according to them, led to the controversial pact, which was made possible by the Solomon Islands ‘ decision to abandon Taiwan in favor of China in 2019. Although the agreement is allegedly intended to maintain stability and safeguard Chinese interests, it is portrayed as a step toward establishing a permanent Chinese military presence.
Additionally, Grant Newsham mentions that China has used political violence to gain influence in an article this month for Asia Times.
According to Newsham, Chinese-linked businesses have established bases in important locations like Tinian and Saipan, potentially undermining US military operations.
He says that in Yap state, both the US and China are building airfields, with China framing its projects as tourism-related. He adds that China frequently invests in military projects in places like Angaur and Kanton.
Newsham argues that while the US focuses on military infrastructure, it must also counter China’s political warfare to maintain regional influence.