The most recent submersible of China has met with a submergence incident.
For quite some time now, China has been increasing its naval fleet, but recent events indicate a setback. Based on reports, China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine has met an unfortunate fate at a shipyard.
The submarine, a pioneering model in its class, is said to have gone under several months ago at a shipyard, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Officials from the United States described the event as a major setback to one of China's key defense projects. The incident supposedly took place in late May or early June at the Wuchang Shipyard, close to Wuhan, on the Yangtze River. Authorities are rumored to have concealed the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, including if there were any casualties or if the submarine was loaded with nuclear material at the time of the sinking. The sunken submarine, part of the Zhou class, is recognized by its X-shaped stern, designed to enhance maneuverability. Satellite imagery shows the submarine docked on the Yangtze River in late May, undergoing final preparation. More images from early June show large cranes in use at the site, presumably for salvaging the submerged submarine from the riverbed.
A senior U.S. official told the newspaper, "It's no surprise that the People's Liberation Army Navy would attempt to conceal the fact that its newly-built, first-of-its-kind nuclear-powered attack submarine sank at the dock." Furthermore, they questioned the training standards and equipment reliability, while raising concerns about the internal accountability of the People's Liberation Army and its management of the Chinese defense industry, known for corruption.
Reports suggest that China is expanding its navy, including its submarine fleet, with the intention of applying political and military pressure on Taiwan. As per a Pentagon report published last year, China had 48 diesel-powered attack submarines and six nuclear-powered attack submarines by the end of 2022. China is believed to be developing new models to counter the US's capabilities in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. Mainly designed for sinking other submarines, attack submarines play a crucial role in underwater warfare.
The sunken submarine, a significant loss for China, was a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Zhou class. Despite China's continued efforts to expand its submarine fleet, this incident at the Wuchang Shipyard is seen as a setback in its defense projects involving such submarines.
