China’s latest elite nuclear submarine sank in a shipyard, in an embarrassing blow to Beijing’s claims of war readiness.
New satellite imagery shows the global superpower’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank between May and June this year, according to a senior US defence official.
The Zhou-class submarine is the first of a new kind of Chinese submarine and is distinctive for its X-shaped stern that aids maneuverability.
China has been trying to build up its naval fleet in a bid to catch up with the US in a naval arms race. The US considers China’s military development one of its main security concerns.
The embarrassing sinking triggered a desperate scramble from Beijing officials to cover up the incident, US officials told The Wall Street Journal.
Beijing has not acknowledged the sinking. A US official said it was “not surprising” that China’s navy would try to conceal it.
The official added: “In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper questions about the PLA’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defence industry, which has long been plagued by corruption.”
Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC showed the elite submarine sitting in the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan as it was being equipped for sea in late May.
The next available satellite images, from June 15, show the submarine submerged below the river’s surface, with rescue equipment and cranes surrounding it. Booms can be spotted surrounding the submarine to prevent any oil or other leaks from the vessel.
It is not clear if the vessel had been carrying nuclear fuel at the time. The US officials said they had not detected any indication that Chinese officials had sampled the water or nearby environment for radiation.
Submarine experts warned that while the submarine appears to have been salvaged, the cost of repairs would be immense and lengthy.
Thomas Shugart, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, said: “Can you imagine a US nuclear submarine sinking in San Diego and the government hushes it up and doesn’t tell anybody about it? I mean, holy cow.”
He continued: “The whole boat would be full of water. You’d have to clean out all the electronics. The electric motors may need to be replaced. It would be a lot of work.”
Brent Sadler, a former submarine officer at Washington’s Heritage Foundation think tank, said: “The sinking of a new nuclear sub that was produced at a new yard will slow China’s plans to grow its nuclear submarine fleet. This is significant.”
In 2023, China operated six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines, according to a US military report.
Submarines would play a key role in any future conflict over Taiwan.
It is thought that Beijing would try to invade the island while blockading the US from arming and supplying it.