China's Type 041 Zhou-class Nuclear Submarine Sinks Pier-side in Wuhan, Setting Back Military Modernization

Sep 27, 2024, 02:47 AM

China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the Type 041 Zhou-class, sank in the spring of 2024 at a shipyard near Wuhan. The incident, which occurred pier-side in late May or early June during construction, represents a significant setback for China's military modernization efforts. U.S. defense officials have confirmed the sinking and noted that Chinese authorities scrambled to cover up the incident. It remains unclear whether the submarine was carrying nuclear fuel at the time of the sinking. The episode has not been previously disclosed, and the submarine has since been salvaged.