China’s ambitious push to expand its naval prowess, boasting the world’s largest navy, has suffered a significant setback. The nation’s newest nuclear-powered submarine, the Zhou-class, reportedly sank at the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan sometime between May and June 2024. This incident, while initially concealed by Beijing, has been revealed through satellite imagery and confirmed by US officials.
The Zhou-class submarine, designed with an advanced X-shaped stern for improved underwater maneuverability, was under construction when it unexpectedly submerged. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel, the sinking has raised serious concerns about China’s shipbuilding standards, training procedures, and internal oversight within its defense industry.
The exact cause of the sinking remains unclear, and Chinese authorities have yet to acknowledge the incident publicly. It’s unclear whether the vessel had nuclear fuel onboard at the time of the accident, further adding to the mystery surrounding the incident.
This incident is a significant setback for China’s military, which has been aggressively expanding its naval power. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy currently has 370 vessels, exceeding the US Navy’s 219, and includes 234 warships. China’s submarine force is expected to grow from 65 to 80 by 2035, with submarines like the Zhou-class playing a crucial role in challenging US dominance in the Pacific, particularly in any potential conflict over Taiwan.
Experts believe that the incident will slow down China’s plans to expand its nuclear submarine fleet, but Beijing’s long-term goals remain unchanged. The PLA Navy is expected to continue its push to modernize and expand its capabilities, despite this high-profile setback.
Despite the sinking, China continues to demonstrate its growing nuclear capabilities, recently successfully conducting a rare launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. The nation also continues to retire older submarines and expand its production of new, more advanced vessels.
While China’s navy is expanding in size, questions remain about its overall capabilities. The PLA Navy’s submarine force, impressive in quantity, may not yet match the technological sophistication and operational readiness of the US fleet, which boasts 53 fast attack submarines, 14 ballistic missile submarines, and four guided missile submarines, all nuclear-powered.
The sinking of the Zhou-class submarine is a significant setback for China’s naval ambitions and exposes vulnerabilities within its military-industrial complex. While Beijing’s long-term goals remain unchanged, this incident will likely force China to reassess its approach to naval development and address concerns regarding training, equipment, and oversight within its defense industry.
