China advances naval capabilities with Type 004 carrier and missile threats

China is advancing its maritime capabilities through the development of new naval technologies and larger vessels, posing challenges to United States naval supremacy. Satellite imagery from the Dalian shipyard indicates that China is constructing the Type 004 aircraft carrier. This vessel may reach lengths of 336 to 339 meters, potentially exceeding the size of the USS Gerald R. Ford. The Type 004 could feature nuclear propulsion, offering increased speed, range, and internal space for fuel and munitions, with a capacity to carry between 75 and 90 aircraft.

Simultaneously, the United States faces threats from China’s specialized arsenal, specifically the DF-26 ‘carrier killer’ ballistic missile. With a range of 3,700 kilometers, these precision weapons could force American fleets beyond their effective strike zones. To counter these multi-domain threats, which include stealth fighters like the J-35 and advanced submarine capabilities, the U.S. Navy is implementing two-carrier operations in the Pacific to coordinate integrated strikes.