A senior official from the U.S. Department of Defense revealed on Thursday that a Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine has reportedly sunk in the ocean, likely between May and June of this year. This incident raises concerns regarding China’s military capabilities as it continues to strengthen its naval forces.
The official indicated that the exact reasons for the submarine’s sinking remain unclear, including whether it had nuclear fuel onboard at the time. There are growing doubts regarding the training standards and equipment quality within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), particularly in light of this incident.
The sinking has prompted deeper questions about internal accountability within the PLA and oversight of China’s defense industry. The official noted that China has struggled with corruption issues for a long time, making the concealment of such an incident unsurprising.
In response to these claims, a representative from the Chinese embassy in Washington stated that they have no information regarding the alleged sinking. “We are not aware of the issue you mentioned. We do not have any information to share,” the representative clarified.
China maintains the world’s largest naval fleet, comprising 370 vessels, and has been focusing on producing a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines. The reported sinking of one of these advanced submarines could pose challenges for China as it continues to expand its military capabilities.