Pentagon says Chinese nuclear submarine sunk this year

Photo: Type 094A nuclear submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA)

China's newest nuclear submarine sank earlier this year, Reuters reported, citing a senior Pentagon official.

The incident could put Beijing in an awkward position as it seeks to expand its military capabilities, the agency wrote.

China already has the world's largest navy, with more than 370 ships; and has begun producing a new generation of nuclear-armed submarines.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the first-of-its-kind nuclear-powered attack submarine sank at its pier sometime in May or June.

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A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said the diplomatic mission had no information.

It is unclear what caused the vessel to sink or whether it was carrying nuclear fuel at the time, the defense official said.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news of the Chinese submarine.

A series of satellite images taken in June by commercial company Planet Labs showed cranes at the Wuchang shipyard where the submarine was expected to be docked.

China had six nuclear-powered submarines as of 2022, according to the Pentagon. equipped with ballistic missiles, six other nuclear submarines and 48 diesel attack submarines. The US Defense Department expects the number of Chinese submarines to grow to 65 by 2025 and to 80 by 2035.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga