Chinese Nuclear-Powered Submarine Sank Earlier This Year, US Official Reports – Reuters

Title: Significant Setback for China’s Naval Ambitions: New Submarine Reported Sunk

Date: WASHINGTON – A senior U.S. defense official disclosed on Thursday that China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, marking a potential setback for Beijing as it works to bolster its military capabilities.

China currently possesses the largest navy globally, comprising over 370 vessels, and is actively developing a new generation of nuclear-armed submarines.

According to the unnamed U.S. defense official, the submarine, which was the first of its class, sank alongside a pier sometime between May and June.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated that they were unaware of the situation and had no information to share. "We are not familiar with the situation mentioned and currently have no information to provide," the spokesperson remarked.

The cause of the sinking remains unclear, as does whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board at the time of the incident. The U.S. official noted, "In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper concerns regarding the People’s Liberation Army’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defense industry, which has faced longstanding issues of corruption."

The official also suggested it was unsurprising that the PLA Navy would attempt to conceal information about the sinking.

This news was first reported by a well-known financial publication. Satellite images from June indicate that cranes were present at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was believed to be docked.

As of 2022, China’s submarine fleet included six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines. The Pentagon estimates this fleet will grow to 65 submarines by 2025 and reach 80 by 2035.

On a related note, China reported successfully launching an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, which is likely to raise international apprehensions about its nuclear expansion.

Moreover, the United States and China engaged in theater-level commander talks for the first time earlier this month, aiming to stabilize military relations and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings in critical regions, including the South China Sea.