China’s ambitions to build a world-class navy suffered a significant blow with the sinking of one of its newest nuclear-powered attack submarines earlier this year. This incident, confirmed by a senior US defense official, marks a potential embarrassment for Beijing, which has aggressively sought to expand its military capabilities in recent years.
The Incident: What Happened?
According to the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, China’s first-in-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank between May and June while it was docked at a pier. The official did not disclose the cause of the sinking, and it remains unclear whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board at the time. The Chinese embassy in Washington responded by stating they had no information on the matter. “We are not familiar with the situation you mentioned and currently have no information to provide,” said a Chinese official.
Questions of Accountability and Oversight
The submarine sinking raises significant concerns about the quality of equipment, training standards, and internal accountability within China’s military. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has long been plagued by issues of corruption, and this incident has put the spotlight on whether the Chinese military can effectively oversee its burgeoning defense industry. “It’s not surprising that the PLA Navy would try to conceal the sinking,” the US official added, pointing to the likelihood that the Chinese government is working to keep the event under wraps.
The situation has also raised red flags about China’s broader ambitions to develop an advanced navy. China boasts the largest navy in the world, with over 370 ships, and has been ramping up production of nuclear-armed submarines. But this mishap could cast doubts on its ability to maintain its growing fleet.
Taiwan’s Watchful Eye
Taiwanese officials have been closely monitoring the situation. Taiwan, which China views as its territory, maintains a keen watch on the activities of China’s military, especially its naval movements. Speaking in Taipei, Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that authorities are aware of the situation, though he declined to provide further details.
In June, images surfaced online showing a Chinese nuclear submarine near Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s surveillance network continues to keep an eye on China’s naval developments, given the high stakes of regional security.
Satellite Images and Expert Insights
The first public sign of the submarine’s sinking was reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cited a series of satellite images from Planet Labs taken in June. These images showed cranes positioned around the Wuchang shipyard, where the submarine was docked.
Thomas Shugart, a former US submarine officer and senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, was the first to notice unusual activity in the shipyard. “I’ve never seen a bunch of cranes clustered around one spot,” Shugart observed. He explained that previous satellite imagery had shown a vessel with a distinctive tail at the shipyard, which had since disappeared. This raised suspicion that a significant event had occurred, possibly the submarine sinking.
Impact on China’s Naval Expansion
The loss of the submarine could slow China’s efforts to expand its nuclear submarine fleet, a key part of its broader naval strategy. Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a retired US Navy nuclear submarine officer, commented on the significance of the incident. “This is a major setback for China’s plan to grow its nuclear submarine fleet,” he said.
China has been working to diversify its submarine production, with shipyards in the northeastern city of Huludao previously handling much of the work. Recently, however, the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan has been taking on more responsibility, particularly for the production of nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Nuclear and Environmental Concerns
Despite concerns about the presence of nuclear fuel on board the submarine, American officials have not detected any signs that the Chinese government has sampled nearby waters for radiation. This has led to speculation about whether the sinking could have resulted in any radioactive leaks.
There are also questions about potential casualties. US officials have not been able to confirm if any Chinese personnel were killed or injured during the incident, but the secrecy surrounding the event has left many details unclear.
A Blow to China’s Regional Ambitions
China’s naval expansion is part of its broader strategy to counter the United States and its allies in the Pacific, particularly in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The Pentagon has reported that China’s submarine force, which currently includes six nuclear-powered attack submarines and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines, is expected to grow to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.
China’s military build-up, particularly its investment in submarines and naval aircraft, is seen as part of an effort to achieve maritime superiority in the “first island chain,” a region stretching from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines. However, the recent submarine sinking could slow down these ambitions and raise questions about the effectiveness of China’s military expansion.
As China continues to flex its military muscles, incidents like the submarine sinking serve as a reminder of the challenges it faces in achieving its global naval dominance. The loss is not only a blow to China’s naval capacity but also a potential embarrassment on the international stage.
(With inputs from agencies)
