For the first time, a group of U.S. researchers has concluded that China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor to power future aircraft carriers.

China’s PLA Navy already has the largest number of vessels in the world, and its vessels are also quite modern, with updated technology.

China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship, in the clearest sign yet Beijing is advancing toward producing the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to a new analysis of satellite imagery and Chinese government documents provided to The Associated Press.

China's People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has been developing a powerful fleet of aircraft carriers, expanding to potentially six by the 2030s. But unlike the U.S., China's carriers aren’t designed for distant power projection;

U.S. researchers have concluded that China has built a land-based prototype nuclear reactor to power future aircraft carriers

"Operating a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is an exclusive club, one that China looks set to join," says a researcher behind the analysis of satellite images and government documents.

China has been working on a land-based prototype nuclear reactor for a large surface warship, according to Chinese government documents that were provided to AP