China's Nuclear Submarine Incident: A Strategic Setback

Published: September 26, 2024 at 3:52 PM EDT

Updated: April 10, 2026 at 8:24 PM EDT

COMMENT

Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing in open ocean during patrol mission

The nuclear-powered submarine can’t stay away from the surface or its port forever, but it can do a heck of a job for long periods of time, operating at high speeds, and being undetectable while it does it. Throw in the fact that they can carry nuclear weapons and you have an important part of any modern naval fleet. This is why China is so focused on increasing its capabilities as it trails the leading nation, the United States of America by a sizable gap. However, the country may have just suffered a setback. Experts believe one of its nuclear-powered submarines has sunk and the country may be trying to cover it up.

China's Nuclear-Powered Submarine Fleet: Current Status

China has nuclear-powered submarines, and is ranked third in the world in terms of capacity making up its fleet. Formally known as the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China, the experts believe the plan (no pun intended) is to have 65 submarines by 2025. In doing so, China is believed to be increasing its number of nuclear-powered subs. Overall, including non-nuclear subs, China is thought to have around 60 total with only between 6 and 13 total using nuclear power. Tracking China’s newest generation of subs is proving to be a challenge. However, as outside help has aided its program, the US believes one of its newer additions actually sunk.

A Zhou-Class Nuclear-Powered Sub Has Sunk

In early 2024, it’s believed PLAN has suffered a setback. Experts have found that a nuclear-powered attack submarine sank near Wuhan and may have been covered up by Chinese authorities. Satellites spotted large cranes salvaging the sub in June 2024 from a river. The U.S. views China as a long-term military challenge, especially in relation to Taiwan, which is a major part of why the loss of a nuclear-powered submarine is so devastating. Whether or not the Zhou-class sub was carrying nuclear fuel is still yet to be confirmed. However, many experts believe it’s likely. China is diversifying submarine production, expanding from Huludao to the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan. The expansion comes after China was operating with 48 diesel-powered subs and six nuclear-powered attack submarines in 2022. Growth has been expected, though again, tracking such things is increasingly difficult for US officials. The Zhou-class submarine that sank is the first of a new class of Chinese nuclear-powered submarines, with an X-shaped stern for improved maneuverability. China State Shipbuilding Corp. was the builder and while undergoing some of its final preparations, it sank near Wuhan. The fact that PLAN hasn’t come out and admitted to anything has many US officials wondering about the shipbuilding process in the country and how reliable it must be for such an incident to have been covered up. There’s a chance for the sub to return to service; however, the setback is still timely and costly. China will need months at a minimum to get it running again. Since there is little information about the incident, it’s also concerning as no one knows if radiation testing has been conducted or died, though the threat of a nuclear leak is believed to be low.

US Navy's Nuclear Submarine Fleet: 2023 Overview

With over 700 submarines in total, the US has at least 53 to 72 nuclear-powered submarines at its disposal. Every one of the Ohio, Los Angeles, Seawolf, and Virginia classes is completely nuclear-powered. Furthermore, the US Navy has a research vessel and several aircraft carriers that also use nuclear power within its fleet.