Earlier this year, China’s newest first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank near a pier, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Thursday. The cause of the sinking remains unclear, as does whether the submarine had nuclear fuel onboard at the time. The incident could be an embarrassment for Beijing as it continues to expand its military capabilities, despite already having the largest navy in the world, with over 370 ships.
Satellite images from June, captured by Planet Labs, seem to show cranes at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was believed to be docked. China’s submarine fleet, which includes six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines as of 2022, is expected to grow to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035, according to the U.S. Defense Department.
The sinking of China’s first Zhou-class submarine represents a setback for Beijing as it continues to build out the world’s largest navy.
On Wednesday, China announced the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, a rare move likely to raise concerns internationally about its growing nuclear arsenal. Earlier this month, military officials from the United States and China held theater-level commander talks for the first time, aiming to improve military communication and reduce tensions, particularly in volatile regions like the South China Sea.