Chinese nuclear submarine sinks during construction, satellite photos reveal

A senior US defence official has reported that China's latest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank at a shipyard while still under construction.

The incident potentially involves the first submarine of the Zhou-class, representing a significant setback for Beijing as it strives to expand its naval capabilities amidst ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

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

The images indicated the presence of cranes that would be necessary to retrieve the vessel from the riverbed, suggesting that the military might attempt to recover the submarine.

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

The sinking comes at a time when China is aggressively developing its naval fleet, now considered the largest in the world. This expansion is a key element of Beijing's strategy to assert its claims over the South China Sea, a vital 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 been reinforcing its alliances in the region, frequently conducting naval operations to uphold freedom of navigation—efforts that have angered the Chinese government.

The identification of the sunken submarine was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal. Thomas Shugart, a former US Navy submariner and an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, observed the incident in July. However, it wasn't until the recent disclosure that it was confirmed to involve a Zhou-class vessel.

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

An image from June 15 indicates that the submarine was either fully or partially submerged, with cranes and rescue equipment surrounding the site.

Booms were deployed around the submarine to prevent any potential leaks of oil or other materials.

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

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

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

In light of these events, the sinking of the Zhou-class submarine underscores the challenges faced by China in its rapid naval expansion, alongside ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.