China has begun construction of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Type 004, at the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Group, as revealed by satellite imagery analysis. This significant advancement in naval capabilities allows China to enhance its power projection across the Indo-Pacific, particularly amid ongoing border tensions with India. The supercarrier is expected to displace over 110,000 tons and could be operational by the early 2030s, potentially housing 90-100 aircraft. This development heightens regional security concerns and underscores the necessity for accelerated modernization of the Indian Navy’s carrier strike capabilities to safeguard India’s maritime interests against an increasingly assertive Chinese maritime posture.