American nuclear-powered submarine involved in underwater collision in Indo-Pacific region

An American Navy nuclear submarine has been involved an incident while operating in waters in the South China Sea.

The United States Navy has confirmed one of its nuclear submarines was involved in an underwater collision at the weekend.

The USS Connecticut struck an object while submerged on October 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region.

It’s not known what the Seawolf-class fast-attack sub struck.

But a military official speaking on the condition of anonymity as they weren’t authorised to speak to the media told the Navy Times the accident raised some questions.

The area’s topography doesn’t indicate the submarine could’ve hit a land mass.

The incident happened in the South China Sea, two defense officials told CNN.

It emerged in September that Beijing was hunting submarines in the South China Sea, with satellite photos showing an increased presence on its militarised artificial islands in the region.

The USS Connecticut nuclear-powered sub has been involved in an underwater collision.

Statement regarding #USSConnecticut (SSN 22):

The #USNavy Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine struck an object while submerged on Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. There are no life threatening injuries.

More: https://t.co/2ojR5arcd4pic.twitter.com/VNSQI5XJet

— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) October 7, 2021

While there were some injuries among the crew, none were considered life-threatening and the US Pacific Fleet said “the safety of the crew remains the top priority”.

The nuclear submarine itself remains “in a safe and stable condition” and the USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant wasn’t affected.

“The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed,” the Navy said.

The US didn’t require assistance from other nations and it’s investigating the incident to determine what went wrong.

The Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut. Picture: US Navy

In May and June, satellite imagery found that Chinese Y-8Q and KQ-200 anti-submarine and KJ-500 radar command aircraft, along with anti-submarine and troop-carrying helicopters, had become a permanent feature on the artificial Subi and Mischief Reef island fortresses.

Submarines from around the world have been increasingly active in nearby waters, in a sign of a covert push-back against Beijing’s activities.

#Thread 1/4: Have you ever seen an ongoing anti-submarine #warfare activity from #space? Recent EROS-C image near #Subi Reef analyzed using #ISI Global Hotspot Monitoring Platform showcasing such activity. pic.twitter.com/MPascmwJya

— ImageSat Intl. (@ImageSatIntl) August 31, 2021

Earlier this year, the French Navy confirmed its nuclear-powered sub SNA Emeraude passed through the contested waters, but didn’t reveal exactly where.

“This extraordinary patrol has just completed a passage in the South China Sea – a striking proof of our French Navy’s capacity to deploy far away and for a long time together with our Australian, American and Japanese strategic partners,” Defence Minister Florence Parly tweeted.

A polar bear investigates the submarine top of USS Connecticut during a Navy ice exercise near Prudhoe Bay off the northern coast of Alaska in 2003. Picture: Supplied

Since then, the US has sent all three of its most advanced submarines – led by the USS Seawolf – into the Pacific.

That’s over and above the regular patrols by USS Los Angeles and Virginia class submarines.

And the United Kingdom’s nuclear attack submarine HMS Artful has been somewhere in the area in recent weeks.

China’s increased anti-sub capabilities indicate Beijing could be growing uneasy about that underwater build-up.

The Seawolf class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines cost about US$3 billion per unit.