In a potentially significant embarrassment for Beijing, China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine reportedly sank earlier this year, according to a senior U.S. defense official. This incident poses questions as China seeks to enhance its military capabilities amid its status as the world’s largest navy, boasting over 370 ships.
The U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the submarine, classified as first-in-class, sank alongside a pier sometime between May and June. The cause of the sinking remains unclear, and it is unknown whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board at the time of the incident.
A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington responded by stating they had no information regarding the situation, asserting, “We are not familiar with the situation you mentioned and currently have no information to provide.”
The U.S. official elaborated that the incident raises serious questions about the training standards and equipment quality within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well as the accountability and oversight of China’s defense industry, which has faced persistent issues with corruption. The official remarked, “It’s not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal” the details surrounding the sinking.
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In Taipei, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that Taiwanese authorities are monitoring the situation through various intelligence and surveillance methods, although he did not provide specific details. Taiwan, which China considers a part of its territory, closely observes Chinese military activities. In June, images surfaced online showing a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing in the Taiwan Strait near local fishermen.
The news about the submarine was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, supported by a series of satellite images from Planet Labs that appeared to show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard where the submarine was docked.
As of 2022, China possessed six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines, according to a Pentagon report. This submarine fleet is projected to expand to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035, as noted by the U.S. Defense Department.
Additionally, just days prior, China announced the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, a development likely to heighten international apprehensions regarding its nuclear capabilities. Recently, the United States and China engaged in theater-level commander talks for the first time this month, aiming to stabilize military relations and reduce the risk of misunderstandings in sensitive regions such as the South China Sea.
