2024-09-27 19:22:22
Beijing: A newly launched nuclear submarine of China has sunk in the sea. This is being said to be a big blow to Chinese ambitions. Chinese President Xi Jinping has long been dreaming of a blue water navy, which would have reach in every corner of the world. Chinese officials tried their best to hide this accident. For this reason the accident came to light after several months. US officials have reported that the Chinese nuclear submarine sank at a shipyard near Wuhan in late May or early June.
China kept silence on the accident
This incident has happened at a time when China is emphasizing on expanding its navy. This also includes a fleet of nuclear powered submarines. China says that its goal of building a world-class army is to stop aggression and protect its interests abroad. A Chinese embassy spokesperson did not respond to a request for a statement on the submarine sinking.
Suspicion of nuclear fuel being present at the time of the accident
The US does not know whether the submarine was carrying nuclear fuel when it sank, but experts outside the US government said it was likely. The US is the most powerful country in the world at sea, but China is working hard to close the gap. China is moving towards diversifying the production of nuclear powered submarines. Chinese nuclear submarines have been built for the most part at the Huludao shipyard, but nuclear-powered attack submarines are now being built at the Wuchang Shipyard near Wuhan.
China has six nuclear submarines
According to a Pentagon report released last year on China’s military power, Beijing was expected to have 48 diesel-electric attack submarines and six nuclear submarines by the end of 2022. That report said China’s aim in developing new attack submarines, surface warships and naval aircraft is to counter efforts by the US and its allies to aid Taiwan during the conflict and achieve “maritime superiority”. .