China builds an aircraft carrier that will surpass the largest in the US

China has accelerated the construction of the Type 004 nuclear supercarrier, which is expected to surpass the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford in size. Satellite imagery shows new flight deck sections being installed, with the vessel estimated to reach 339 meters in length and 110,000 tons displacement. Official specifications remain undisclosed.

China has accelerated the construction of the Type 004 nuclear supercarrier, which is expected to surpass the largest US aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, in size. According to satellite imagery, three new flight deck sections were installed on the hull in just five days. Work has been ongoing since 2024, but Beijing has not officially disclosed the ship's specifications. In August 2026, the visible part of the hull measured about 320 meters in length and 46 meters in width. Analysts estimate that upon completion, the carrier will be between 336 and 339 meters long, with a displacement approaching 110,000 tons. For comparison, the USS Gerald R. Ford is about 333 meters long. The Type 004 is expected to become China's largest carrier, surpassing the Fujian. Its larger size will allow for more aircraft, fuel, and weapons. Another feature may be a nuclear propulsion system: satellite images from November show structures inside the hull that could be related to a reactor. This information has not been officially confirmed. If preliminary estimates are correct, the Chinese carrier will strengthen the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Navy.