Pentagon confirms China's newest nuclear submarine sank?

The Wall Street Journal reported on September 26 that a new generation of Chinese nuclear-powered submarine sank in May or June at a harbor in the city of Wuhan. Experts told the newspaper that it was likely carrying nuclear fuel at the time.

Satellite images from Planet Labs in June showed several cranes near the wharf of the Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan city, where the submarine was likely moored.

Pentagon confirms China's newest nuclear submarine sank

The ship has been salvaged but it will likely take months to repair and return to sea.

Bloomberg quoted a Pentagon spokesman confirming the submarine had sunk but did not specify whether it was carrying nuclear fuel.

Satellite images from June show multiple cranes at the Wuchang shipyard.

A US defense official told CNN it was the first of the Zhou class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, which have a distinctive X-shaped stern designed to improve underwater maneuverability.

Satellite images from March 10 show the Zhou-class submarine docked at the port. Images from June showed the vessel was no longer at the pier, according to CNN.

Satellite images on March 10 show a Zhou-class submarine docked at the wharf.

PHOTO: CNN SCREENSHOT

The Chinese military has not commented on the above information. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC (USA) responded to CNN when asked for comment: "We are not aware of the situation you mentioned and currently have no information to provide."

According to a Pentagon report in October 2023, the Chinese navy has 12 nuclear-powered submarines, including 6 ballistic missile submarines, and 48 diesel submarines.

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The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) estimates that China will have 65 submarines by 2025 and 80 by 2035 with increased shipbuilding capacity.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lau-nam-goc-xac-nhan-tau-ngam-hat-nhan-moi-nhat-trung-quoc-chim-185240927065544741.htm