China’s Newest Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine Sinks Mysteriously

A senior U.S. defense official claims that China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine, part of the country’s naval expansion, sank earlier this year.

The first of its kind, Zhou-class submarine docked in Wuhan, sank between May and June. Chinese officials have refused to comment on the incident, trying to keep it a secret.

The sinking of the vessel, designed with advanced technology and an X-shaped stern, might have embarrassed Beijing, which is actively expanding and modernizing its submarine fleet.

The Pentagon says China’s navy, the world’s largest with over 370 ships, aims to expand its submarine fleet to 65 by 2025 and 80 by 2035.

A satellite imagery analyst, Tom Shugart, first spotted unusual activity at the Wuchang shipyard in June. Shugart noticed the submarine’s disappearance from the pier after its launch earlier in March, raising suspicions.

The incident has raised concerns within the U.S. defense community about China’s internal military transparency.

Per a U.S. defense official, the incident exposes deeper issues about corruption in China’s defense industry beyond questions about training and equipment standards.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy may have tried to hide the submarine’s sinking, according to the official.

Meanwhile, a representative for the Chinese embassy in Washington said that they were unfamiliar with the situation and could not provide any information.

Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, also confirmed the incident, saying authorities had gathered information, though he refused to elaborate.

With China continuously increasing its military power, including the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific, the loss of a naval asset comes at a sensitive time.

The United States and China have discussed strengthening military ties, but tensions remain high, especially in hot spots like the South China Sea.

The world’s two largest military forces continue to compete for dominance, with China’s naval ambitions seen as a direct challenge to American supremacy.

Reference: Reuters, CNN

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Source: Maritime Shipping News