Japanese defence prime Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the fifth of eight Taigei-class diesel-electric submarines ordered for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at a ceremony at MHI’s facility, the service announced on 4 October.
The latest Taigei-class submarine will serve as JS Chogei (Long Whale) once commissioned into service.
The eight next-generation submarines are being built by MHI and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).
KHI launched the fourth Taigei-class boat, the future JS Raigei (Thunder Whale), in October 2023. Raigei is expected to enter JMSDF service in March 2025 following user acceptance trials.
Unlike lead boat Taigei and sister boats Hakugei (White Whale) and Jingei, Raigei will be equipped with the latest Kawasaki 12V 25/31 diesel engines that offer a higher performance than the present Kawasaki 25/25SB powerplants.
Three Taigei-class boats have already been commissioned, with JS Jingei (Swift Whale) entering JMSDF service with the Yokosuka-based Submarine Division 4 of Submarine Flotilla 2 in March.
The Taigei-class submarine has an overall length of 84m, a beam of 9.1m, a draught of 10.4m, and a standard displacement of about 3,000 tonnes, which is comparable to the service’s in-service Soryu-class SSKs. It is operated by a crew complement of about 70 and has been designed to support female personnel.
Like the last two boats of the 12-strong fleet of Soryu-class SSKs, Oryu (SS 511) and Toryu (SS 512), the Taigei-class is equipped with lithium-ion batteries supplied by Kyoto-based GS Yuasa for extended underwater endurance and range. Japan is the first country to successfully field SSKs that employ lithium-ion battery technology, as opposed to conventional lead-acid batteries.
The Taigei-class also employ a new advanced combat management system (CMS) comprising integrated command and control (C2), sensors, and weapons systems. These include the OYX-1 processing system, ZQX-12 submarine tactical display system, ZQQ-8 fibre-optic array sonar system, NZLR-2 electronic support measures (ESM) system, and ZPS-6H radar system.
by Jr Ng
