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According to US Defense officials, China’s newest Zhou-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank while under construction at a shipyard in Wuhan.

What’s the deal: New satellite imagery revealed that China’s first Zhou-class nuclear-powered attack submarine sank at a shipyard near Wuhan while still under construction, likely between May and June 2024. In March, Maxar Technologies’ images initially captured the submarine docked at the pier. By June, the submarine was no longer visible, with multiple cranes at the site, indicating recovery efforts were underway. 

More on the sub: The Zhou-class submarine is China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, distinguished by its unique X-shaped stern, which is designed to improve its maneuverability underwater. Although specific details about its full capabilities remain classified, nuclear-powered attack submarines like the Zhou-class typically offer greater endurance, speed, and stealth compared to their diesel-powered counterparts.

China’s statement: The Chinese Navy has not officially confirmed the submarine’s sinking, and there has been no public statement from Beijing addressing the incident or the vessel’s current status. When approached by various news outlets for comment, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, stated that they were “not familiar with the situation” and had no information to provide.

An unnamed US official speaking to CNN called the apparent sinking “not surprising.”