Quick Hit:

China’s efforts to build a powerful naval fleet hit a major setback after its newest nuclear submarine sank in a dock. U.S. officials confirmed the incident, which occurred last spring, and raised concerns over the Chinese military’s transparency and competence.

Key Details:

• China’s latest nuclear submarine sank last May or June at Wuchang shipyard, near Wuhan.
• U.S. officials revealed the incident after satellite images surfaced, contradicting China's efforts to cover it up.
• No word on casualties or environmental impacts; U.S. experts question Chinese military accountability.

Diving Deeper:

American officials have confirmed the incident, which reportedly occurred in May or June at the Wuchang shipyard, near Wuhan, the city associated with the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Chinese efforts to hide the event, satellite imagery brought the sinking to light.

According to U.S. defense officials, the Zhou-class submarine, which featured a distinctive X-shaped stern designed to improve maneuverability, was next to a pier when it sank. The submarine, part of China's cutting-edge efforts to enhance its naval capabilities, was the first of its kind. While the details surrounding the cause of the sinking remain unclear, there are concerns over whether the submarine was carrying nuclear fuel at the time of the incident. Experts suspect this is likely, though Chinese authorities have provided no confirmation. The vessel was eventually recovered, but officials estimate it will take months before it is operational again.

In an apparent attempt to downplay the situation, Chinese authorities have remained silent, offering no official acknowledgment of the event or any potential environmental threats. U.S. officials expressed concern that no effort has been made to assess potential radiation contamination in the surrounding waters.

The first indication that something had gone wrong came in the summer, when Thomas Shugart, a former U.S. submarine officer and current senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, noted the presence of floating cranes in satellite images of the shipyard. He speculated on social media that a submarine-related incident had occurred, though he was initially unaware that it involved a nuclear-powered vessel.

U.S. defense officials now believe that this cover-up points to broader issues of incompetence and a lack of accountability within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). “In addition to the obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, the incident raises deeper questions about the PLA’s internal accountability and oversight of China’s defense industry – which has long been plagued by corruption,” a U.S. defense official said.

While the Chinese embassy in Washington stated they had no information regarding the incident, defense experts suggest that this event could significantly slow China’s plans to expand its nuclear submarine fleet. As of 2022, China had six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines.