Report: China’s New Nuclear Submarine Sinks
Report: China’s New Nuclear Submarine Sinks
The Facts
A Chinese nuclear attack submarine, the country's most advanced, sank in recent months in Wuhan ahead of its first sea trials, satellite pictures have reportedly revealed.
The sinking of the first vessel of the Chinese navy's Zhou class, designed to stalk and attack ships and escape undetected, was reportedly first flagged in July.
The Spin
The mysterious sinking of its nuclear submarine at Wuhan port is clearly a stunning setback for China's naval ambitions. Covering up the incident for months, Beijing is desperate to conceal its embarrassment. This fiasco has not only exposed potential flaws in China's rapidly expanding military program but also raised concerns about safety standards and accountability within the nation's defense industry. It could potentially scupper China's maritime aspirations.
The recently reported sinking of its submarine aside, China's displayed breathtaking maritime ambition in recent decades, catapulting its navy to global prominence. It has swiftly evolved from a coastal defense force to a formidable blue-water fleet, boasting the world's largest naval force with over 350 ships and submarines. China's new and evolving naval prowess has reshaped the Indo-Pacific security landscape, prompting regional powers to counter its influence.
