A senior US defence official has revealed that China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the Zhou-class submarine, has sunk alongside a pier while under construction. Satellite imagery indicated that the submarine likely sank between May and June, as cranes needed to lift it off the river bottom were seen at the site. China has been rapidly expanding its naval fleet, causing concern for the US, which views China’s rise as a major security threat.
Despite the evidence provided by satellite imagery, Beijing has not acknowledged the sinking and is reportedly concealing the incident. The submarine’s current status remains unknown.
The sinking of the Zhou-class submarine was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. A US defence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed that China’s navy concealing the incident was not surprising.
The loss of the submarine raises questions about the safety and security of China’s naval construction projects. As tensions between China and the US continue to rise, this incident adds to concerns about China’s growing military capabilities.
As Beijing remains silent on the sinking of the nuclear-powered attack submarine, the international community is left wondering about the implications of this incident on China’s naval operations and overall security strategy.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
