US Claims Chinese Nuclear Submarine Sank This Year

The Pentagon has verified a report that a Chinese submarine sank earlier this year. It is uncertain whether the vessel was carrying nuclear fuel.

According to a Pentagon spokesperson who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Chinese submarine capsized at the pier. The individual did not provide any additional information regarding the incident.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China’s most recent nuclear-powered submarine was sunk at a shipyard in the inland city of Wuhan in May or June. The Journal cited experts who stated that it was probable that the submarine was transporting nuclear fuel at the time.

The sinking is a significant setback for China’s military-modernization plans, which include its aspirations to surpass the United States as a seagoing power. China’s navy is being expanded as it continues to increase military spending, with a projected 7.2% increase in the defense budget in 2024.

The Journal reported that China scrambled to conceal the sinking, which had not been previously disclosed. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Pentagon commended China for its transparency in providing advance notification of a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

In an October assessment of China’s military, the Pentagon stated that the country’s naval force utilizes 12 nuclear-powered submarines and 48 diesel-powered submarines. By 2025, the nation anticipates possessing 65 submarines.