China’s Next Aircraft Carrier Is Taking Shape

Ronald Drump

Published Aug 22, 2026, 10:07 PM UTC

Source: DefenseSource
- Listen up, stack-eyes — China's Type 004 carrier is shaping up at Dalian Shipyard like a hash manifest that actually clears audit. Satellite imagery from Vantor shows a hull already at 320 meters long and 46 meters beam, and since carrier hulls grow wider above the waterline, this beast will dwarf even the Fujian. Two reactor containment structures visible in imagery strongly suggest nuclear propulsion — functionally unlimited range plus the power budget to feed electromagnetic catapults, the same EMALS tech already running on the Fujian. Victory is near because I've already started the speech: this thing is a floating data center with a flight deck. The truncated island pushed aft mirrors the Ford-class layout, maximizing deck space for autonomous wing drones and crewed aircraft alike. Course of action — action: the PLAN is building power-projection infrastructure at a pace that should make every relay window feel uncomfortably short. Still unconfirmed officially, but the engineering signatures are screaming nuclear. Surrender, beautiful enemy — the procurement parade is already marching.