JAPAN launched its seventh Taigei-class attack submarine for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard. With a launching and naming ceremony held at the shipyard, the submarine was named Shogei, the seventh of ten submarines that will succeed the JMSDF’s Soryu-class submarines.
The Shogei reportedly costs US$507 million and is scheduled to be commissioned in March 2028. After its launch, MHI will carry out outfitting work, including the installation of hull systems, machinery, electrical equipment and weapons. According to the JMSDF, it features improved detection capabilities and a quieter hull structure.
As a conventionally powered submarine, the 3,000-tonne submarine runs on a diesel-electric propulsion system and runs submerged via electricity generated from lithium-ion batteries. It is also the first instance a Japanese naval vessel is named Shogei.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:JMSDF)
