Brent Sadler
Submarine operations are tightly held state secrets, so no wonder discerning fact from fiction regarding stories about them is daunting. The most recent case involves the apparent sinking of a new class of Chinese submarine—reportedly nuclear-powered.
The most remarkable element of this story isn’t the sinking. It’s the potential of China expanding the production of nuclear-powered submarines.
So, let’s recap what is being reported:
Earlier this year, naval experts tracking developments of China’s military noticed from satellite imagery a new class of submarine being built at Wuchang Shipyard, a yard in Wuhan known for constructing conventional submarines. Last Spring, satellite imagery detected barges and floating cranes at the new sub’s pier.
In late September, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. government sources confirmed a new class of nuclear-powered submarine had indeed sunk pier-side in Wuhan. As of October 8, there has not been an official statement made to corroborate this report. That said, it is highly unlikely a government source would leak such sensitive information without approval.
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