Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced that it has launched the JS Shogei (SS-519), the 7th Taigei-class diesel-electric attack submarine built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force…
Built at a cost of ¥80.5 billion ($509 million), the submarine is equipped with an advanced propulsion system based on lithium-ion batteries, systems to reduce machinery-induced vibration and noise, and the ZQQ-8 sonar.
The JS Shogei is targeted for delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in 2028.
The submarine is 84 meters long, with a beam of 9.1 meters and a standard displacement of 3,000 tons.
Its propulsion plant consists of 2 Kawasaki 12V 25/31 diesel generators and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery system.
For armament, it has 6 bow-mounted 533 mm torpedo tubes, which can fire Type 18 heavy torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles.
The JS Shogei is also fitted with systems that reduce the transmission of machinery noise into the water, improving its passive acoustic detection capability.
The integrated ZQQ-8 sonar is especially important for detecting and tracking slow-moving submarines…