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

Sep 26, 2024, 06:04 PM

China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the first-in-class Type 041 Zhou-class, sank in a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June, U.S. officials confirmed. The incident, which has not been previously disclosed, represents a major setback for China's priority weapons programs and military modernization efforts. Chinese authorities scrambled to cover up the sinking, which occurred pierside and has raised questions about the vessel's safety and operational readiness. U.S. officials have not confirmed whether the submarine was carrying nuclear fuel at the time of the incident, but experts suggest it is likely. Satellite imagery shows attempts to salvage the submarine from the Yangtze River.