Sinking of China’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine sets back its maritime ambitions

China’s naval ambitions, particularly under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have centred on building a formidable maritime force to flex muscle across the Indo-Pacific region. 

The recent sinking of China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, however, came as a significant setback to this vision. 

This incident not only highlights operational vulnerabilities but also underscores the broader challenges the CCP faces in achieving its priority goal of military modernization and dominance in the maritime domain.

Earlier this week, satellite imagery showed China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank alongside a pier while under construction, the Associated Press (AP) reported, quoting a senior US defence official.

According to the report, the sinking of China’s first Zhou-class submarine represents a setback for China as it continues to build out the world’s largest navy.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) first reported the pier side sinking, which was later confirmed to the Epoch Times by a US government spokesperson who added it was unclear if the submarine was carrying nuclear fuel at the time. 

The submarine is estimated to have sunk between May and June this year, as per reports.

Ziding Zhou, an independent analyst monitoring the CCP’s military developments, spoke with the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times about the recent submarine incident. 

Zhou noted that the new nuclear-powered submarine appeared to be only a few meters longer than China’s diesel-powered Type 039A submarine, suggesting that the CCP might be experimenting with smaller-scale nuclear technology.

Zhou emphasized that the submarine did not resemble a large-scale attack vessel, but rather one designed for sea-to-sea combat, particularly in the Taiwan Strait. 

This implies that the submarine may have been intended for more regional, tactical operations rather than long-range strategic missions.

The Chinese government, however, has not publicly acknowledged the incident, maintaining a veil of silence. 

Zhou pointed out that the revelation by US defence officials, who were able to identify the submarine as nuclear-powered, sends a significant message to the CCP. 

He suggests that China’s efforts to keep its military advancements confidential have not been as successful as it might have believed.

Naval power has been a central tenet of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) military expansion under President Xi Jinping. 

Beijing has long sought to strengthen its navy as a way to counter US influence in the Pacific, secure trade routes, and enforce territorial claims, particularly in the South China Sea. 

In this regard, nuclear-powered submarines have been pivotal assets for China, offering extended range, stealth, and strategic deterrence. 

Submarines like the one that sank were expected to enhance the Chinese navy’s ability to operate far from China’s shores, assert control over contested waters, and safeguard its expanding global interests.

The construction of advanced nuclear-powered submarines, in particular, has been central to the CCP’s ambition of transitioning its navy into a “blue-water” force. 

These vessels are designed to provide China with an edge in both defense and offense, capable of patrolling the vast Pacific and Indian Oceans undetected for long periods. 

Nuclear submarines are also integral to China’s second-strike nuclear deterrent, making their development a top priority in military planning.

The sinking of the newest submarine is not just a tactical loss but a symbolic blow to China’s naval prestige. 

Such submarines are complex, expensive, and technologically challenging to develop. 

While China has made rapid strides in military technology, the submarine’s loss highlights potential weaknesses in either operational procedures or technical reliability. 

This comes at a time when China is ramping up efforts to challenge US naval dominance in the region.

Additionally, the incident might delay China’s larger naval build-up. 

Replacing a nuclear-powered submarine is no easy feat, and this could force the CCP to re-evaluate the pace and scope of its naval modernization programmes. 

It also raises questions about the effectiveness of China’s domestic innovation in high-tech weaponry, an area where the CCP has invested heavily in reducing its reliance on foreign technologies.

This submarine incident also has wider geopolitical ramifications. 

As China has become more assertive in its claims over the South China Sea and expanded its naval operations across the Indo-Pacific, regional powers like Japan, India, and Australia, as well as the United States, have increased their focus on countering China’s naval expansion. 

A high-profile failure like the sinking of this submarine may embolden regional rivals to further challenge China’s military assertiveness. 

It could also provide an opportunity for the United States and its allies to emphasize their superior naval capabilities, putting China on the back foot in maritime strategy.

Internally, the CCP faces increased pressure to address these issues without appearing weak. 

The party’s legitimacy, in part, rests on its ability to project power and maintain China’s rising status on the global stage. 

Any perceived failure in this regard may trigger internal criticism, especially as Xi Jinping ties his leadership closely to China’s military prowess.

According to China experts, the sinking of the country’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine is a significant setback for the CCP’s maritime ambitions and its broader goal of military modernization.  This incident not only hampers China’s immediate naval capabilities but also casts doubt on the reliability of its cutting-edge military technologies.

Additionally, in a region where geopolitical tensions are already high, such a loss has ramifications that extend beyond China’s borders, affecting its strategic calculations and the broader balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.