Kawasaki
delivers Japan's eighth Souryu-class submarine
Ridzwan
Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
14 March 2017
Key Points
- Japan has taken delivery of its
eighth Souryu-class submarine
- Delivery increases Japan's fleet
of AIP-capable submarines, which feature better underwater endurance
The Japan
Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has taken delivery of its eighth
Souryu-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) from Kawasaki Heavy Industries
(KHI).
The 4,100
tonne (when submerged) vessel, which has been named Sekiryu with
pennant number 508, was handed over on 13 March in a ceremony held at KHI's
facilities in Kobe.
The SSK is
the fourth Souryu-class boat to be built by KHI, and was first laid down in
March 2013. The boat was subsequently launched by the shipbuilder in November
2015.
According to Jane's
Fighting Ships, the Souryu class features a length of 84 m, a beam of 9.1
m, and a hull draught of 8.5 m. The platform, which is powered by two Kawasaki
12V 25/25 diesel engines, and four Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling
air-independent propulsion (AIP) engines, has a top speed of 20 kt when
submerged, and 12 kt when surfaced.
The Souryu
class is equipped with six 533 m bow tubes that can fire the Japanese-developed
Type 89 heavyweight torpedo. The boats are also capable of deploying the UGM-84C
Harpoon medium-range anti-ship missile against surface targets. Each vessel has
also been equipped with underwater countermeasure launchers.
The JMSDF
currently operates a fleet of seven other Souryu-class SSKs, four of which were
built by another Japanese shipbuilder, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
Funding for a 12th boat was approved under Japan's fiscal year 2016 budget, and
the country is expected to operate a fleet of 12 Souryu-class submarines by
2021.
Original
post: janes.com
Soryu Class:
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