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0 / 30 Fotos
Largest navy in the world
- China holds the largest navy force in the world in terms of numbers. As it continues to rapidly modernize, its ambitions to add nuclear-powered carriers offer a clear challenge to the United States.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
- Rumors of China’s plan to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier were recently confirmed by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Prototype
- Research shows that China has built a prototype of a nuclear reactor for a large surface warship. This move marks a clear advancement toward the country’s goal of producing its first nuclear-powered carrier.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Plutonium or tritium
- The researchers from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies were initially looking into a reactor to produce either plutonium or tritium for weapons in a mountainous region just outside the southwest province of Sichuan.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Base 909
- Satellite images, personnel files, and other evidence revealed that China was actually building a prototype reactor for a big warship in a Nuclear Power Institute of China site known as Base 909.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
The 701 Institute
- Documentation shows that the institute responsible for aircraft carrier development, 701 Institute, also known as China Ship Research and Design Center, procured equipment to install a reactor on a significantly ample warship.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Active assembly
- The institute concluded that approximately 112 km (70 mi) outside Chengdu a prototype reactor for naval propulsion was being assembled.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Longer process
- Although the process to produce a nuclear carrier is much longer than its conventional counterpart, the benefits of their capabilities are extensive.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
US and France
- The only two countries to have nuclear-powered carriers are the United States and France. The United States alone has 11 carriers.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Advanced systems
- Nuclear carriers are able to generate more power to run advanced systems, contain more space for weapons and fuel needed to run an aircraft, and can remain at sea for long periods of time, as they don’t need to consider refueling needs.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Innovations
- Advanced systems include innovative radars, technologically-advanced weaponry, and electromagnetic launchers, among other cutting-edge innovations.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Strategic steps
- This effort feeds into Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitions to be able to strategically dominate maritime spaces, particularly those outside of Chinese territory.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Nuclear ambitions
- While Chinese authorities have yet to confirm the conclusions published by researchers, it seems likely that this is the direction that China is heading, regardless if its efforts are already underway or still in the theoretical phase.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that: “Nuclear-powered carriers would place China in the exclusive ranks of first-class naval powers.”
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Base 909
- Although researchers were unable to determine if the reactor is yet operational, Base 909 hosts six other reactors that are either operational or under construction.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Satellite images
- Satellite images aggregated between 2020-2023 illustrate the construction of a water site, as well as the demolition of homes surrounding the area close to the prospective reactor construction site.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Steam generators and turbine pumps
- Documents collected as part of the research include contracts for steam generators and turbine pumps. These elements are all in line with naval propulsion reactors.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Oslo Nuclear Project
- Researchers at the Oslo Nuclear Project reviewed the research report, determining that the argument made by the Middlebury researchers is persuasive.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Open Nuclear Network
- While there is still a great deal of uncertainty pertaining to the details of the project’s operations, the Open Nuclear Network echoes that the researchers’ findings are both “thorough” and “compelling.”
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Fleet
- China currently holds three carriers: the Liaoning, Shandong, and the Type 003 Fujian. All three carriers are conventionally powered. The first two carriers consist of Soviet design, one of which is a repurposed Soviet ship. They both use what’s called a ski-jump method to launch aircraft.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Fujian
- The Fujian, on the other hand, was designed and built in China, the first of its kind. Similar to what the United States Navy uses on its conventional ship, the launch system is electromagnetic-esque.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Fourth carrier
- Before China even began testing the Fujian, the country already confirmed their production of a fourth carrier, but without confirmation if the entity would be nuclear powered.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Institute for Strategic Studies
- The Institute for Strategic Studies notes that “larger carriers more akin to [China’s] US counterparts will give them more options to project power.”
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
First Island Chain
- Analysts believe that the most strategic locations that China will first seek to operate these carriers is where disputed territories lie, perhaps those of their allies as well, along the First Island Chain.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Taiwan
- The First Island Chain includes Taiwan. While Taiwan considers itself an autonomous, independent nation, China considers Taiwan its territory and has consistently promised to retrieve it.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Taiwan-US relations
- Taiwan has the backing of the United States in terms of security, weaponry, and agreements to provide assistance in the case of reoccupation.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Tensions between US and China
- The tensions between the United States and China are on full display as the Chinese government continues surpassing innovation in almost every sector, leaving the United States nervously attempting to catch up.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Belt and Road Initiative
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which focuses on international partnerships for infrastructural development, also poses a threat to American geopolitical interests, as nearly every country has entered some sort of agreement to collaborate with China along these lines.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Rapid modernization
- Although China’s military capacity is still not nearly as developed as America’s, its rapid modernization, increasing demands, and exploratory air operations set the tone for what may lie ahead between the nations. Sources: (AP News) (CNN) (Business Insider)
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Largest navy in the world
- China holds the largest navy force in the world in terms of numbers. As it continues to rapidly modernize, its ambitions to add nuclear-powered carriers offer a clear challenge to the United States.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
- Rumors of China’s plan to build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier were recently confirmed by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Prototype
- Research shows that China has built a prototype of a nuclear reactor for a large surface warship. This move marks a clear advancement toward the country’s goal of producing its first nuclear-powered carrier.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Plutonium or tritium
- The researchers from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies were initially looking into a reactor to produce either plutonium or tritium for weapons in a mountainous region just outside the southwest province of Sichuan.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Base 909
- Satellite images, personnel files, and other evidence revealed that China was actually building a prototype reactor for a big warship in a Nuclear Power Institute of China site known as Base 909.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
The 701 Institute
- Documentation shows that the institute responsible for aircraft carrier development, 701 Institute, also known as China Ship Research and Design Center, procured equipment to install a reactor on a significantly ample warship.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Active assembly
- The institute concluded that approximately 112 km (70 mi) outside Chengdu a prototype reactor for naval propulsion was being assembled.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Longer process
- Although the process to produce a nuclear carrier is much longer than its conventional counterpart, the benefits of their capabilities are extensive.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
US and France
- The only two countries to have nuclear-powered carriers are the United States and France. The United States alone has 11 carriers.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
Advanced systems
- Nuclear carriers are able to generate more power to run advanced systems, contain more space for weapons and fuel needed to run an aircraft, and can remain at sea for long periods of time, as they don’t need to consider refueling needs.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Innovations
- Advanced systems include innovative radars, technologically-advanced weaponry, and electromagnetic launchers, among other cutting-edge innovations.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Strategic steps
- This effort feeds into Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitions to be able to strategically dominate maritime spaces, particularly those outside of Chinese territory.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Nuclear ambitions
- While Chinese authorities have yet to confirm the conclusions published by researchers, it seems likely that this is the direction that China is heading, regardless if its efforts are already underway or still in the theoretical phase.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that: “Nuclear-powered carriers would place China in the exclusive ranks of first-class naval powers.”
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Base 909
- Although researchers were unable to determine if the reactor is yet operational, Base 909 hosts six other reactors that are either operational or under construction.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Satellite images
- Satellite images aggregated between 2020-2023 illustrate the construction of a water site, as well as the demolition of homes surrounding the area close to the prospective reactor construction site.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Steam generators and turbine pumps
- Documents collected as part of the research include contracts for steam generators and turbine pumps. These elements are all in line with naval propulsion reactors.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Oslo Nuclear Project
- Researchers at the Oslo Nuclear Project reviewed the research report, determining that the argument made by the Middlebury researchers is persuasive.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Open Nuclear Network
- While there is still a great deal of uncertainty pertaining to the details of the project’s operations, the Open Nuclear Network echoes that the researchers’ findings are both “thorough” and “compelling.”
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Fleet
- China currently holds three carriers: the Liaoning, Shandong, and the Type 003 Fujian. All three carriers are conventionally powered. The first two carriers consist of Soviet design, one of which is a repurposed Soviet ship. They both use what’s called a ski-jump method to launch aircraft.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Fujian
- The Fujian, on the other hand, was designed and built in China, the first of its kind. Similar to what the United States Navy uses on its conventional ship, the launch system is electromagnetic-esque.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Fourth carrier
- Before China even began testing the Fujian, the country already confirmed their production of a fourth carrier, but without confirmation if the entity would be nuclear powered.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Institute for Strategic Studies
- The Institute for Strategic Studies notes that “larger carriers more akin to [China’s] US counterparts will give them more options to project power.”
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
First Island Chain
- Analysts believe that the most strategic locations that China will first seek to operate these carriers is where disputed territories lie, perhaps those of their allies as well, along the First Island Chain.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
Taiwan
- The First Island Chain includes Taiwan. While Taiwan considers itself an autonomous, independent nation, China considers Taiwan its territory and has consistently promised to retrieve it.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Taiwan-US relations
- Taiwan has the backing of the United States in terms of security, weaponry, and agreements to provide assistance in the case of reoccupation.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Tensions between US and China
- The tensions between the United States and China are on full display as the Chinese government continues surpassing innovation in almost every sector, leaving the United States nervously attempting to catch up.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Belt and Road Initiative
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which focuses on international partnerships for infrastructural development, also poses a threat to American geopolitical interests, as nearly every country has entered some sort of agreement to collaborate with China along these lines.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Rapid modernization
- Although China’s military capacity is still not nearly as developed as America’s, its rapid modernization, increasing demands, and exploratory air operations set the tone for what may lie ahead between the nations. Sources: (AP News) (CNN) (Business Insider)
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
China is building the largest military command center in the world
It will be 10 times the size of the Pentagon
© Getty Images
According to recent reports, China is currently constructing the world’s largest military command center, which is set to be 10 times bigger than the US Pentagon once completed. The satellite images show a 1,500 acre area with the underground tunnels and concrete structures, located approximately 19 miles (30 km) southwest of the capital. What is being referred to as ´Beijing Military City´ by media and military analysts will be a massive complex, equipped with bomb-proof bunkers designed to shield high-profile officers and commanders in the event of conflict.
Some US intelligence officials say that the center is being constructed due to the fact that China hopes to advance its nuclear war fighting capabilities. In terms of the timeline, the project is taking place at the same time as Beijing authorities are focusing on expanding the country’s nuclear arsenal, aiming to increase the number of nuclear weapons to 1,500 by 2035.
The latest research released by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (California) confirms the speculations in relation to China's nuclear ambitions. As China advances its efforts in constructing the world’s largest military command center, developing its nuclear arsenal, and producing its first nuclear-powered propulsion system for a carrier-sized surface warship, American authorities are concerned regarding the nation's military plans.
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