(See) Chinesische Atom-U-Schiffe

[Schneemann]

Möglicherweise bereits Mitte Juni hat die chinesische Marine einen empfindlichen Rückschlag erlitten, als eines ihrer neuesten Atom-U-Boote - ein Boot der rund 4.000 Tonnen großen Typ 041-Klasse (Zhou-Klasse) - am Ausrüstungskai gesunken ist.

China’s New Nuclear Submarine Sank During Mysterious Incident In Wuhan

The mysterious incident that TWZ previously reported that occurred at China’s Wuchang Shipyard in the spring of this year resulted in the sinking of the country’s latest nuclear-powered attack submarine, according to U.S. officials. The boat in question, originally identified as a conventionally powered submarine, was the first of the new Type 041 Zhou class SSNs.

Citing unnamed U.S. officials, a report in The Wall Street Journal today describes an attempt by the Chinese authorities to cover up the accident, involving a submarine “likely” carrying nuclear fuel when it sank. The boat had been undergoing its final fitting out before going to sea. [...] “It is possible Chinese personnel were killed or injured when the sub sank, but U.S. officials say they don’t know if there were casualties.” [...]

The unusual activity at the Wuchang Shipyard was first observed by Tom Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think tank and a retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer.

TWZ previously examined satellite imagery showing the sudden appearance of four crane barges at the shipyard in China, these being in place at least from June 12 through June 17. A submarine that had been in the berth in May was absent during those dates, but it was not clear when exactly it was last seen.

https://www.twz.com/sea/chinas-new-nucle...han-report

Die sog. Zhou-Klasse ist bislang eine recht nebulöse Konstruktion, zumal diese Boote mit max. wohl 4.000 Tonnen relativ klein sind (bzw. die kleinste Klasse chinesischer SSNs wären). Nicht zu verwechseln sind sie mit dem Typ 041 Yuan - der wiederum dieselelektrisch angetrieben wird. Vermutlich ist diese Nummernspielerei aber gewollt...

Schneemann