
According to recent reports from US media outlets, a nuclear-powered submarine, believed to be the first of its kind for China's Zhou-class, sank underwater during the construction phase. This incident, which occurred between May and June this year, has caused embarrassment for China's military ambitions as it strives to position itself as a global defense manufacturing powerhouse.
The sinking of the submarine was initially exposed by The Wall Street Journal and subsequently covered by other media sources. US officials have expressed worry over the implications of this event, considering Beijing's significant investments in bolstering its defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of nuclear submarines. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC confirmed the presence of a partially submerged submarine near the Wuchang shipyard, where rescue efforts seemed to be underway, but as of June, the submarine was completely submerged.
Although China's nuclear submarine fleet currently consists of six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines, projections indicate a substantial increase in the number of vessels in the coming years. The sinking of the Zhou-class submarine has sparked concerns about the operational reliability of China's next-generation submarines, a critical component of Beijing's military expansion plans.
The Chinese government has not publicly acknowledged the incident, with a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington stating that they have no information to provide on the matter. US defense officials have noted that the concealment of the submarine's sinking raises questions about both the PLA Navy's training standards and overall equipment quality, as well as broader issues related to accountability within China's defense industry. Analysts have warned that the incident could tarnish China's reputation as a defense manufacturing powerhouse and impact its ongoing efforts to enhance its naval capabilities, particularly in light of the country's geopolitical challenges in the South China Sea.