China’s naval hegemony ambitions were undermined by the new falling of its most advanced nuclear underwater at a Wuhan port, which exposed critical weaknesses in its protection abilities as a result of an extreme defense buildup and rising sea tensions with the United States and its Pacific allies.
Last month, multiple media outlets reported that China’s most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine ( SSN), the first of the new Zhou class built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation ( CSSC), sank while docked at the Wuchang shipyard, according to US defense sources.
Cranes were spotted by satellite imagery at the wharf, which analysts believe were used to retrieve the submerged vehicle by early June, followed by their discovery. The US Department of Defense ( DOD ) confirmed the incident, marking a potentially significant setback in China’s bid to close the gap with US naval dominance.
The event raises concerns about China’s education standards, equipment value and internal transparency within its security industry, which has long been affected by corruption. The event has not received any comments from the Chinese authorities. At the same time, the submersible may be salvaged and repaired, although difficulties are expected.
The US might gain a semblance of benefit in the underwater world due to the ship’s demise, which would be crucial for any possible conflict with Taiwan. China, yet, continues to develop its submarine features, apparently recently receiving help from Russia.
Although there are n’t many details about the Zhou-class SSN, it appears to be an evolution of earlier Chinese nuclear submarine designs. Defense News reported in May 2022 that satellite imagery had revealed a new class or subtype of a Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine, which might be equipped with advanced stealthy propulsion and vertical launch system (VLS ) cells for cruise missiles.
According to Defense News, the submarine has specific green patches on its deck, a cruciform steering arrangement, and a potential veiled propulsion system, which suggests pump-jet technology. It notes that this coincides with China’s continued research into such engine systems, enhancing secrecy and functional capabilities.
The cause says that the ship’s style, closely resembling the Model 093 Shang class, indicates it may be a development of this class, perhaps the Model 093B. It mentions that the ship’s capabilities, including possible land-attack and anti-ship missions, meet into China’s method for long-range offensive hit capabilities, targeting US Navy assets and distant property targets like US bases on Guam.
Malte Humpert explains in a GCaptain article last month that the mishap was most likely brought on by a lack of administrative and technological experience as well as the combined effects of small complacency problems in explaining the contributing factors. According to Humpert, China’s tight vertical chain of command likely contributed to these issues, with permission taking precedence over adaptability and empowerment.
China’s increased underwater production and marine modernization efforts, which are consistent with the latest setback, are continuing to close the US-China’s maritime balance.
Alexander Palmer and other authors mention China’s increased submarine production capabilities in a report released in June 2024 for the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) think tank, which highlights its ambition to match or surpass the US in undersea warfare capabilities.
According to Palmer and another, China has accelerated its manufacturing plans, including through the development and construction of superior nuclear-powered boats. They point out that China’s marine modernization is moving more quickly than the US Navy’s work on submarines.
The People’s Liberation Army-Navy ( PLAN ) has a focus on both conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, according to the authors. They mention China’s efforts, including expanding its SSN fleet, which is crucial for both its sea denial and proper deterrence goals.
Palmer and others note that while China’s increasing submarine presence poses a potential threat to US operations in the Indo-Pacific place, the country still has a competitive advantage in underwater warfare.
But, corruption within China’s defence industry, particularly in manufacturing, significantly challenges its ambitious marine modernization efforts, undermining the quality and reliability of its rapidly expanding submarine fleet.
In a 2021 article in the peer-reviewed Journal of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Yang Yi mentions that corruption in China’s defense industry has become a pressing issue that is deeply ingrained within the structure of state military enterprises.
Yi asserts that since the 1980s, China’s transition from a planned to a market economy, particularly in military enterprises, has fostered corruption. He mentions that this corruption is brought on by monopolistic control, a lack of accountability, and intertwining corporate and political power.
He claims that senior executives in defense companies frequently abused their positions to extort money from the government, as evidenced by cases like those involving Anhui Industrial Group and AVIC Ltd, where officials were discovered to have manipulated company assets for personal gain.
According to Yi, a central issue is the “dual role” system, in which company executives also serve as Communist Party officials, creating conflicts of interest and making oversight difficult. Additionally, he claims that the secrecy surrounding military contracts and the absence of fierce market competition have increased corruption.
While he mentions that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has resulted in numerous convictions, systemic issues, such as the intertwining of relationships ( guanxi ) and a lack of effective governance reforms, continue to hamper efforts to eradicate corruption in China’s defense industry .
China’s naval modernization efforts are susceptible to a lack of corruption in Chinese shipbuilding companies. The issue raises questions about the reliability and quality of the ships being produced for the navy.
China’s defense sector struggles with corruption, but the US struggles to build its submarine fleet with industrial and workforce limitations. These problems could put the US in the same position as China, leaving it with shoddy, subpar warships plagued by safety and reliability concerns.
Jerry Hendrix makes a significant challenge for the US submarine production base in a 2024 American Affairs article, primarily as a result of supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages.
Hendrix says the US Navy’s ambitious plans to expand its submarine fleet, including Virginia-class attack submarines and the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, are hindered by a lack of skilled labor and critical components.
He points out that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, causing delays and increasing costs. Additionally, he says the US industrial base’s capacity is strained by the simultaneous need to maintain and upgrade existing submarines.
USNI News reported last month that there were serious concerns about the workmanship of US Navy subs and aircraft carriers. Concerned about the potential effects on national security and operational readiness, USNI mentions that several vessels have discovered critical welding flaws and defective parts.
The source mentions that the USS Delaware, a Virginia-class submarine, and the USS Gerald R Ford, a Ford-class aircraft carrier, are among the affected vessels. Previous investigations have identified a number of issues with welding quality, including improper welding techniques and the improper use of wrong materials in US warships.
The US Navy, according to USNI, has started a thorough review of its quality control procedures and is working closely with contractors to address the issues in response to those findings.