Chinese Nuclear Submarine That Aimed to Catch the US Had Actually Sunk Two Months Ago

Zhou-class No.1 Ship Sinks at Wuchang Shipyard
Incorporates Latest Stealth Technologies Including X-shaped Rudder

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 26th (local time), it has been confirmed that the first vessel of China's latest nuclear-powered submarine class, the 'Zhou (Zhou)' class, which was docked at a Chinese shipyard, has sunk. Although this report had been covered by some Taiwanese media from late May to early June, this is the first time it has been officially confirmed through statements from U.S. officials.

According to WSJ and other foreign media, the submarine was docked at the state-owned shipyard in Wuchang, Wuhan City, in the Yangtze River basin, China. The submarine was reportedly undergoing final maintenance before departure at the end of May. However, a sinking accident occurred afterward, and in early June, satellite images captured scenes of a large crane vessel lifting the sunken submarine.

Cranes gathered at Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan last July. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Some Taiwanese media, Western military specialist outlets, and open-source intelligence analysts active on social media had reported that the Zhou-class submarine appeared to have sunk at that time. However, this is the first time it has been revealed that the sunken submarine was a state-of-the-art attack nuclear submarine. Previously, it was presumed to be a diesel-powered submarine.

Nuclear submarines are vessels equipped with small nuclear reactors, known as weapon systems capable of operating underwater for several months or more. They can produce drinking water and oxygen through nuclear power, and since there are no restrictions on travel distance, they rarely surface except for food resupply. For this reason, nuclear submarines are considered a dangerously asymmetric force incomparable to diesel submarines.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy has been accelerating its military buildup by establishing a regular aircraft carrier fleet and developing ultra-long-range ballistic missiles, but it is reported to have struggled with modernization in the nuclear submarine sector.

The Zhou-class was part of a national effort to catch up with the United States in submarine power. For example, satellite images of the Zhou-class revealed that the rudder at the stern of the vessel is in an X-shape. The X-shaped rudder is a relatively recent modern design developed to enhance stealth during submarine maneuvering. Given this, the sinking incident is believed to have caused significant repercussions within the Chinese military.

Meanwhile, WSJ reported that the Chinese government has not issued any statement regarding the nuclear submarine sinking accident that occurred near a major city.