China’s naval ambitions take a hit; new nuclear-powered submarine sinks
- In Reports
- 01:46 PM, Sep 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a significant setback for China's weapons program, one of its newest nuclear-powered attack submarines sank several months ago, confirmed two US officials. The incident took place at a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June, and the Chinese government has reportedly scrambled to cover it up.
The Zhou-class vessel that sank is the first of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered submarines and features a distinctive X-shaped stern, designed to enhance its manoeuvrability, according to The Wall Street Journal. Built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the submarine was observed alongside a pier on the Yangtze River when it was undergoing final equipping before its maiden voyage.
Following the sinking, large floating cranes arrived in early June to salvage the vessel from the riverbed, as evidenced by satellite images of the site. Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a retired US Navy nuclear submarine officer, described the incident as a "significant" development.
A senior US official remarked, "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." He added that the incident raises serious questions about the training standards, equipment quality, and the internal accountability of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which has long been plagued by corruption.
In 2023, allegations of corruption within China’s defence industrial base led to leadership changes and heightened calls for political loyalty among industry chiefs. Chinese President Xi Jinping has acknowledged "deep-seated problems" within the PLA amid signs that his grip on power may be loosening. "The gun barrels should always be in the hands of those who are loyal and reliable to the party, and there must be no place for corrupt elements to hide in the military," Xi stated in July. His sweeping anti-corruption drive has seen dozens of top generals sacked or investigated over the past decade.
The submarine mishap initially came to light during the summer when Thomas Shugart, a former US submarine officer and adjunct senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, noted unusual activity involving floating cranes, captured by commercial satellite imagery. Shugart speculated that an incident had occurred involving a new type of submarine, unaware it was nuclear-powered. He commented, "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!"
While the submarine was salvaged, it may take several months before it can return to sea. Shugart explained, "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." However, he assessed that the risk of a nuclear leak is likely low, as the submarine had not ventured out to sea and its reactors were probably not operating at high power levels.
Speaking in Taipei, Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo stated that authorities "have a grasp of the situation through multiple intelligence and surveillance methods," although he did not provide further details. Satellite images from Planet Labs taken in June appear to show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was docked.
It remains unclear whether there were any casualties or if the submarine contained nuclear fuel at the time of the incident, although experts consider that likely. As of 2022, China had six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines, according to a Pentagon report on China’s military. The US Defence Department projects that this submarine force will grow to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.
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