China’s New Nuclear Submarine Reportedly Sinks During Construction, Say U.S. Officials
China’s newest nuclear-powered submarine has reportedly sunk while under construction at a shipyard near Wuhan, according to U.S. defence officials. The submarine, the first of China’s new Zhou-class vessels, is a significant loss for Beijing, which has been rapidly expanding its navy.
Satellite images taken between May and June show the submarine partially submerged near the pier, with cranes and rescue equipment surrounding it.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where China is asserting territorial claims against multiple countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The United States has also been involved in the region, conducting freedom of navigation operations that challenge Beijing’s claims.
The vessel’s sinking, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, raises questions about China's naval capabilities and its internal accountability. A senior U.S. defence official suggested that the incident is likely being concealed by China's navy.
"It’s not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the fact that their new first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank pierside," the official stated.
There is no clear information on what caused the submarine to sink or whether it was fueled at the time. Importantly, there has been no reported release of radiation from the site, and the Chinese government has not provided any official statements on the matter.
The sinking is a setback for China’s ambitious naval modernization efforts. China already has the world’s largest navy, with 370 ships, and it has been actively developing new submarines, including nuclear-powered ones. The Zhou-class submarine is notable for its distinctive X-shaped tail, which is designed to improve underwater manoeuvrability.
The U.S. sees China’s naval rise as a growing security concern. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently discussed strategies to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific at a summit with allies in London. The talks focused on increasing cooperation on defence technologies, particularly nuclear-powered submarines.
China’s focus on expanding its submarine force has been a central part of its military strategy. According to a 2023 U.S. military report, China currently operates six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines. By 2035, it is expected to have 80 submarines.
While the incident does not appear to have caused any environmental damage, it highlights potential flaws in China’s shipbuilding and defence sectors.
A defence official pointed out, “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.”
The current status of the Zhou-class submarine remains unknown.
