American experts noted that the production of nuclear submarines in China is concentrated in the northern shipyard in Huludao, and not in Wuhan. So, the rumors about the problems of the People's Republic of China in the field of creation of APC were exaggerated.
At the end of September, Western sources reported on the accident of a Chinese nuclear submarine at a shipyard in Wuhan. Western media such as the Wall Street Journal and others have focused on the fact that the incident could signal nuclear problems and failures in China's naval modernization. However, in Defense One's opinion, this omission of important details is misleading.
Many subsequent reports also suggested that the incident exposed safety concerns for the Navy's new class of nuclear-powered submarines and a serious failure in China's military modernization.
In their article, the reviewers identified several key aspects that demonstrate how a misunderstanding of the context and hasty conclusions can create a distorted perception of the real situation. At the same time, the Western media missed not only the nuances surrounding the submarine class, but also the really important conclusions about how this incident can signal the modernization of the Navy's fleet.
Analysis of reports on the submarine accident
Type of submarine. Initial claims referred to the Type-041, which may suggest a nuclear-powered submarine (NUS). However, most evidence indicates that this is an improved version of the Yuan-class Type 039C diesel-electric submarines with air-independent propulsion rather than nuclear propulsion. Western journalists apparently misinterpreted or missed this fact, which added to the confusion in the coverage of the event.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The need for a nuclear certificate. Production of nuclear submarines in China is concentrated in the northern shipyard in Huludao, not in Wuhan. Observers noted that without a nuclear certificate, this shipyard cannot independently produce nuclear submarines. So rumors about the nuclear nature of the Wuhan shipyard incident seem unlikely.
Speculation about a nuclear accident. Despite the assumption that a submarine with a nuclear engine was sunk, satellite images taken after the incident show no signs of a radioactive fallout. This is another indication that the version about the APC may have been exaggerated.
Picture of the sunken Chinese submarine Photo: Planet Labs Inc.
Photo of sunken Chinese submarine Photo: Planet Labs Inc.
VLS installations and modernization of the Navy of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. An important detail that could give an idea about the real directions of modernization of the Chinese fleet is the presence of a vertical launcher (VLS) on the damaged submarine. This element, presumably built into the elongated hull of the submarine, could allow the launch of long-range anti-ship missiles. The presence of the VLS has more strategic significance than speculation about nuclear safety issues.
The authors of the material also drew attention to Chinese sources who reported that the submarine could host YJ-18 long-range anti-ship missiles or surface-to-surface missiles. CJ-10.
Therefore, the following conclusion is suggested. Was it a nuclear submarine or not — in question, however, the prospect of numerous, low-visibility Chinese submarines capable of delivering a much larger salvo against the ships or airbases of a hypothetical enemy will increase China's capabilities and complicate the defense plans of US allies.