[Global Issue+] China Accelerates Development of Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Ahead of Australia's Nuclear Submarine Acquisition

First Nuclear Propulsion Technology Transfer Since 1958
China's 4th Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Expected to Be Nuclear-Powered

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have announced the launch of a new military alliance in the Indo-Pacific region called AUKUS, and have begun transferring nuclear submarine technology to Australia. This is the first technology transfer to a third allied country since the United States transferred nuclear propulsion technology to the United Kingdom in 1958, drawing worldwide attention.

Although the three countries did not directly mention China, AUKUS itself is known as a military alliance aimed at countering China following the Quad, and is analyzed as a response strategy to China's nuclear forces. China is currently known to possess and operate about 10 nuclear submarines, and its fourth aircraft carrier under development is reported to be nuclear-powered, raising concerns among the United States and many countries worldwide about China's military buildup.

On the 18th (local time), the Australian government announced plans to build eight nuclear submarines domestically with technical support from the United States. According to local media such as Australia's ABC, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared at a press conference the day before, "We will build eight nuclear submarines under the AUKUS framework," and announced the cancellation of the previous contract with France's Naval Group to build 12 conventional submarines.

Prime Minister Morrison emphasized, "The world is becoming more complex, especially in the Indo-Pacific region," and added, "To respond to these challenges and secure the necessary safety and stability in the region, we must elevate our partnership to a new level."

China Strongly Criticizes Australia, Calling It 'America's Hunting Dog'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Chinese government has strongly opposed Australia's explicit declaration of possessing nuclear submarines. Earlier, on the 17th, shortly after the announcement of AUKUS's launch, the Chinese state-run Global Times editorial stated, "The United States and the United Kingdom helping Australia acquire nuclear submarines effectively legitimizes the acquisition of nuclear submarines by all countries," and "Possessing nuclear submarines will become a universal temptation, and the world must prepare for a nuclear submarine craze."

Along with this, it said, "The United States is losing reason and creating confrontation and destruction to rally allies against China," and sarcastically referred to Australia as "no matter how armed, just America's hunting dog." It further warned, "If Australia shows off to demonstrate loyalty to the United States and acts recklessly, especially militarily, it will become a target for China's severe punishment," and strongly cautioned, "The first Western military personnel to lose their lives in the South China Sea are most likely to be Australians."

China Already Possesses Nuclear Submarines and Is Developing Nuclear Aircraft Carriers

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Despite these warnings from China and concerns from the international community, Australia's intention to acquire nuclear submarines through technology transfer from the United States and the United Kingdom is known to be due to China's powerful nuclear forces. China is already known to possess and operate about 10 nuclear submarines and is developing nuclear aircraft carriers.

According to local media such as the UK's Daily Express on the 8th of last month, the latest British aircraft carrier group, the Queen Elizabeth task force, which was conducting Indo-Pacific patrol exercises, was reportedly followed by a Chinese nuclear submarine group while leaving the South China Sea and heading toward the Pacific, and was detected by the British forces.

The British aircraft carrier group's escort ships, Kent and Richmond, reportedly detected two 7,000-ton Type 093 nuclear submarines equipped with cruise missiles using sonar. However, the Chinese state-run Global Times cited Chinese military experts on the 10th, claiming, "The credibility of this report is low. It appears that the UK is trying to elevate itself, belittle others, and showcase its anti-submarine capabilities," and criticized the report.

China is known to be constructing nuclear aircraft carriers as well as nuclear submarine forces. In March, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing sources within the People's Liberation Army (PLA), that China's fourth aircraft carrier under construction is likely to be nuclear-powered.

A nuclear aircraft carrier, like a nuclear submarine, is an aircraft carrier powered by a small nuclear reactor engine, also called a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Compared to conventional aircraft carriers powered by diesel engines, it can operate for extended periods and can operate electromagnetic catapults that require massive electrical output, making nuclear propulsion an essential power source for the latest aircraft carrier forces.

In particular, as China accelerates technology development aiming to build a total of six aircraft carriers by 2035, it is analyzed that the United States and its allies have strongly raised the need to strengthen their forces to contain China's military power.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.