China’s Newest Generation Nuclear Submarine “Sinks,” Incident Deemed “Humiliating” Blow

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – A newly built Chinese nuclear-powered submarine reportedly sank during construction earlier this year, according to a senior U.S. defense official, who described the incident as a “humiliating” blow for Beijing amid its efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.

China boasts the world’s largest navy, with over 370 warships, and is actively constructing a new generation of nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the latest generation of Chinese nuclear-powered submarines suffered an accident and sank alongside a pier between May and June this year.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington said they had no information to provide on the matter.

“We are unfamiliar with the situation you mentioned and currently have no information to provide,” the spokesperson said.

The U.S. defense official further noted that the cause of the submarine’s sinking remains unclear, as does whether it was carrying nuclear fuel or armed with nuclear missiles at the time of the accident.

“In addition to obvious questions about training standards and equipment quality, this incident raises deeper concerns about internal accountability and oversight within China’s defense industry — which has long been plagued by corruption,” the official said, referring to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

“It’s unsurprising that the PLA Navy would attempt to conceal the incident,” the U.S. official added.

Speaking in Taipei on Friday, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the island nation’s authorities “are aware of the situation through various intelligence and surveillance methods,” though he declined to provide further details.

Taiwan, which China views as part of its territory, closely monitors all Chinese military activities.

 In June, online images showed a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing in the Taiwan Strait near Taiwanese fishermen.

Satellite images from Planet Labs taken in June revealed cranes at the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was believed to have been docked.

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 U.S. Department of Defense has projected that China’s submarine fleet will expand to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.

On Wednesday, China announced that it had successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, a move that is likely to raise international concerns over the country’s growing nuclear capabilities.

Earlier this month, U.S. and Chinese military commanders held their first theater-level talks in an effort to stabilize military relations and avoid misunderstandings, particularly in regional flashpoints such as the South China Sea. —DSA