Chinese nuclear submarine sinks during construction

A senior US defense official has reported that China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank at a shipyard while it was still under construction.

The incident may involve the first Zhou-class submarine and represents a significant setback for Beijing as it seeks to expand its naval capabilities amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

According to satellite image analysis, the submarine sank at the Shuangliu Shipyard on the Yangtze River between May and June 2024.

The images suggested the presence of cranes that would be necessary to recover the ship from the riverbed, suggesting the military could attempt to recover the submarine.

The exact status of the submarine remains unknown, and U.S. officials noted that it is not unusual for China to keep such incidents secret.

The sinking comes at a time when China is aggressively building up its naval fleet, now considered the largest in the world. This expansion is a key part of Beijing’s strategy to assert its claims over the South China Sea, a key region for international trade.

The South China Sea is embroiled in territorial disputes involving several nations, including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In response, the United States has strengthened its alliances in the region and conducted frequent naval operations to protect freedom of navigation – efforts that have angered the Chinese government.

The identification of the sunken submarine was originally reported by the Wall Street Journal. Thomas Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submariner and analyst at the Center for a New American Security, observed the incident in July. However, it was only recently revealed that it was a Zhou-class ship.

Satellite images captured by Planet Labs PBC show the submarine docked at the shipyard before the incident.

An image from June 15 shows the submarine was either fully or partially submerged and cranes and rescue equipment surrounded the site.

Outriggers were placed around the submarine to prevent possible leakage of oil or other materials.

While it remains unclear whether the submarine was loaded with nuclear fuel at the time of the sinking or whether its reactor was operational, there have been no reports of radiation leaks in the area since the incident.

According to US military reports, China operated a total of six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines last year.

This latest development comes just days after China conducted a rare intercontinental ballistic missile launch in international waters in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first such test since 1980.

Given these events, the sinking of the Zhou-class submarine underscores the challenges China faces in its rapid naval expansion, as well as the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.