September 27th 2024.
In a surprising discovery, a satellite image captured by Planet Labs PBC on June 15, 2024 revealed what appears to be a sunken Chinese submarine at a shipyard near Wuhan, China. This has caused quite a stir as it seems that China has been attempting to cover up a major blunder involving their newest nuclear-powered submarine.
It is reported that the accident occurred while the submarine was still under construction and Beijing officials had been trying to keep it under wraps for months. However, their efforts were in vain as US satellite photography ultimately exposed the sinking of the Zhou-class sub. This is a significant setback for China, especially as they have been increasingly assertive in their claims over the South China Sea in recent years.
The submarine, easily identifiable by its distinct X-shaped stern, is believed to have sunk in late May or early June while undergoing tests. The sinking of this newly-built sub has raised concerns about the possibility of nuclear material being onboard. US officials have also expressed worry about the potential loss of life among military personnel or those working on board.
The satellite images show the submarine docked at the Shuangliu shipyard on the Yangtze River prior to the incident. However, a later image taken on June 15 shows the submarine partially or fully submerged just under the river's surface, surrounded by rescue equipment and cranes. The salvage operation has proved to be quite challenging as the sub's electronics have been waterlogged and will require months to clean.
When questioned about the accident, the Chinese Embassy in Washington claimed to be unaware of the situation and had no information to provide. This has raised questions about the PLA Navy's accountability and oversight of China's defense industry, which has been plagued by corruption for a long time.
Brent Sadler, a former submarine officer at Washington's Heritage Foundation, called the sinking a significant setback for China's plans to expand its nuclear submarine fleet. This incident will slow down their efforts and require a major refit of the sunken sub.
It is worth noting that China has the largest navy in the world and is frequently involved in maritime disputes with neighboring countries such as Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam, all of whom have territorial claims in the area. The Pentagon had previously assessed that China has a battle force of over 350 ships and submarines, including 130 major surface combatants. This incident has shed light on the potential risks and challenges that China's military expansion may face in the future.
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