#ChinaMilitary #NuclearSubmarine #PLA #MilitaryExpansion #TaiwanDefense #USDefense #BallisticMissile #Corruption #MilitaryTies #SubmarineSinking
A senior U.S. defense official has revealed that China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank alongside a pier between May and June, marking a potential embarrassment for Beijing as it strives to enhance its military capabilities. This incident raises concerns not only about the submarine's training standards and equipment quality but also about the internal accountability and oversight within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which has faced long-standing issues with corruption.
The Chinese navy, already boasting the largest fleet in the world with over 370 ships, has been actively producing a new generation of nuclear-armed submarines. However, the recent sinking of this first-in-class submarine could undermine their military image. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated they were unaware of the situation and had no information to provide regarding the incident.
Details surrounding the cause of the sinking remain unclear, as does whether the submarine had nuclear fuel on board at the time. The official expressed skepticism about the PLA Navy’s transparency, suggesting that attempts to conceal the incident were likely.
Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that Taiwanese authorities were monitoring the situation closely through various intelligence and surveillance methods, although he did not elaborate on specific details. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, remains vigilant regarding China’s military activities. In June, images surfaced online showing a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing in the Taiwan Strait.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news of the submarine sinking, and satellite images from June have indicated the presence of cranes at the Wuchang shipyard where the vessel was docked. As of 2022, China had a fleet comprising six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, six nuclear-powered attack submarines, and 48 diesel-powered attack submarines. This force is expected to grow significantly, with projections of reaching 65 submarines by 2025 and 80 by 2035, according to the U.S. Defense Department.
Additionally, on Wednesday, China announced the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, an action likely to heighten international concerns regarding the nation’s nuclear ambitions. Earlier this month, the United States and China held their first theater-level commander talks in an effort to stabilize military relations and mitigate misunderstandings in volatile regions such as the South China Sea.
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#ChinaMilitary #NuclearSubmarine #PLA #MilitaryExpansion #TaiwanDefense #USDefense #BallisticMissile #Corruption #MilitaryTies #SubmarineSinking
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