The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has received the newest Soryu class submarine Toryu from Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
A ceremony was held to celebrate the delivery of the vessels at the company’s Kobe Shipyard Nishihama Quay.
Toryu is the 12th submarine of the class and the 29th built at the Kawasaki Kobe Shipyard after World War II.
Construction of the submarine began in January 2017. Toryu was launched by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in November 2019.
The submarine is equipped with lithium-ion battery systems for increased underwater endurance and a range of automated systems.
Toryu also features a high-performance sonar for enhanced surveillance capabilities, advanced stealth capabilities, and improved protection measures, as well as a high strength steel for its pressure hull for high water pressure resistance.
It is fitted with a single propeller, Kawasaki 12V 25 / 25SB type diesel engine two groups, Kawasaki Kokkamusu V4-275R Stirling engine four, propulsion motor underwater launch tubes, and a submarine snorkel.
The 84m-long vessel has a displacement capacity of 2,950t and can cruise at a speed of 20k.
According to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the vessel is designed to offer ‘superior submerged operation and propulsion performance’.
The keel for the first lithium-ion battery submarine in the class, Soryu (SS-501) was laid in March 2005.
Designed by GS Yuasa, the Soryu-class is an improved version of the Oyashio-class submarine.
