Reports have surfaced about a significant incident at the Wuhan Shipyard in China involving the sinking of a newly developed Zhou-class nuclear submarine.
This submarine is among the first of its kind in the Zhou-class, designed specifically to enhance China’s naval capabilities against U.S. power. A distinctive feature of this class is its X-shaped stern, intended to improve maneuverability.
Western military media and Taiwanese outlets quickly reported the initial accident based on commercial satellite images and social media speculation. However, this is the first confirmation that the submarine is a state-of-the-art nuclear vessel.
Previously, Taiwanese media speculated that the submarine that sank at the Wuchang Shipyard was a 3,600-ton Type 039A Yuan-class diesel submarine, serving as the Chinese Navy’s mainstay. A U.S. official predicted potential casualties from the sinking, but as of now, the exact extent of the damage remains unverified as China hasn’t released any information. It is also reported that there haven’t been special inspections for possible radiation leaks.
Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, expressed that this incident could significantly affect China’s nuclear submarine fleet expansion plans.
Most Commented