Type 004

Type 004 is the analysts' designation for China's fourth aircraft carrier, under construction at Dalian and assessed from satellite imagery as potentially nuclear-powered.

Overview

Type 004 is the name commonly used by analysts for the People's Liberation Army Navy's fourth aircraft carrier. China has not publicly established the ship's official designation, name, displacement, propulsion or capabilities, according to Janes. The entry therefore distinguishes observed construction from assessments of the completed ship.

Satellite imagery shows a carrier hull taking shape at Dalian Shipyard in Liaoning province. CSIS identified prefabricated hull components in the dry dock in early 2025 and documented their assembly into a recognisable hull within less than a year. Two internal structures have prompted assessments that the ship could accommodate nuclear reactors, although The War Zone states that nuclear propulsion remains unconfirmed.

The projected configuration would continue China's transition toward catapult-assisted carrier aviation. The War Zone expects electromagnetic catapults and an air wing potentially including J-35 fighters and KJ-600 airborne early-warning aircraft. These remain expectations rather than an announced configuration. Janes estimates a completed hull length of ~336–339 m (est.), placing the ship in the Ford-class size category by length. That comparison does not establish equivalent displacement, aircraft capacity or operational performance.

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