Engineering:Sōryū-class submarine

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Short description: JMSDF submarine

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The Sōryū-class submarines (16SS) are diesel-electric attack submarines. The first boat in the class entered service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in 2009. The design is an evolution of the Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist., from which it can most easily be distinguished by its X-shaped stern combination diving planes and rudders. At the time of launching, the Sōryūs had the largest displacement of any submarine used by post-war Japan.[1]

The Sōryū class is Japan's first air-independent propulsion submarine class. From Sōryū to Shōryū are fitted with Kockums Naval Solutions Stirling engines license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, allowing them to stay submerged for longer periods of time. The 11th submarine of the class, Ōryū, is the world's first lithium-ion battery submarine.[2] The cost of the sixth submarine (Kokuryū) was estimated at US$540 million.[3]

In 2023, the first of the replacements for the Sōryūs, the Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.,[4] entered service.[5]

Naming convention

Japanese submarines since World War II were named after ocean currents. The JMSDF changed its naming convention with the Sōryū,[6] and submarines will now be named after mythological creatures. Sōryū (そうりゅう) means blue dragon in Japanese and shares its name with the World War II aircraft carrier missing name, sunk during the Battle of Midway.

Variants

The eleventh Sōryū-class submarine (Ōryū) is the first Japanese submarine in the fleet to mount lithium-ion batteries. The JS Ōryū was given a budget of Template:JPYConvert under the 2015 Japanese Defense Budget.[7]

Lithium-ion batteries have almost twice the electric storage capacity of traditional lead-acid batteries. Updated Sōryū-class boats also added more batteries by placing them within hull spaces previously occupied by AIP system machinery. These upgraded boats benefited by increasing both the size and energy density of their battery storage. The change to lithium-ion improved the underwater endurance significantly and will be an advantage over the slow recharge capability of the AIP system.

In any event, JMSDF believes that lithium-ion is the way forward and intends to 'trial' this new system and compare it to the previous AIP system for operational effectiveness.

Exports

Japan offered Sōryū-class submarines to Australia as replacements for the Royal Australian Navy's Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.s, as part of the Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist..[8] On 9 April 2014, then-Australian Minister for Defence, David Johnston, described the Sōryū class as "extremely impressive"[9] while discussing Australia's future submarine options. On 26 April 2016, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that the Australian contract had been awarded to the French-designed Shortfin Barracuda,[10] though this deal was eventually rescinded.

India, Morocco, Norway, Netherlands, and Taiwan have also approached Japan, and expressed an interest in buying Sōryū-class submarines.[11] During a visit to Japan, India's then-Union Minister of Defence, Manohar Parrikar, invited the Japanese government to participate in their US$8.1 billion Project 75I-class submarine procurement program.[12]

On July 7, 2025, it was reported that the Indonesian Navy was looking at potentially acquiring Sōryū-class submarines.[13]

  • Zuiryū (SS-505) under construction
    Zuiryū (SS-505) under construction
  • Hakuryū (SS-503) visiting Guam in 2013
    Hakuryū (SS-503) visiting Guam in 2013

Boats

Project no. Building no. Pennant no. Name Japanese Namesake Laid down Launched Commissioned Home port Notes
S131 8116 SS-501 missing name そうりゅう Blue Dragon 31 March 2005 5 December 2007 30 March 2009 Kure
8117 SS-502 missing name うんりゅう Cloud Dragon 31 March 2006 15 October 2008 25 March 2010[14] Kure These five submarines are equipped with a new sonar ZQQ-7B.
8118 SS-503 missing name はくりゅう White Dragon 6 February 2007 16 October 2009 14 March 2011 Kure
8119 SS-504 missing name けんりゅう Sword Dragon 31 March 2008 15 November 2010 16 March 2012 Kure
8120 SS-505 missing name ずいりゅう Auspicious Dragon 16 March 2009 20 October 2011 6 March 2013 Yokosuka
8121 SS-506 missing name こくりゅう Black Dragon 21 January 2011 31 October 2013 9 March 2015 Yokosuka
8122 SS-507 missing name じんりゅう Benevolent Dragon 14 February 2012 8 October 2014 7 March 2016 Kure This submarine is equipped with a new sonar ZQQ-7B and a new satellite communication device.
8123 SS-508 missing name せきりゅう Red Dragon 15 March 2013 2 November 2015 13 March 2017[15] Kure These three submarines are equipped with a new sonar ZQQ-7B, a new satellite communication device and new torpedo counter measures.
8124 SS-509 missing name せいりゅう Pure Dragon 22 October 2013 12 October 2016 12 March 2018 Yokosuka
8125 SS-510 missing name しょうりゅう Soaring Dragon 28 January 2015 6 November 2017 18 March 2019 Kure
8126 SS-511 missing name おうりゅう Phoenix Dragon 16 November 2015 4 October 2018 5 March 2020 Kure These two submarines utilize Li-ion battery propulsion technology
8127 SS-512 missing name とうりゅう Fighting Dragon 27 January 2017 6 November 2019 24 March 2021 Yokosuka

See also

Submarines of similar comparison
  • Blekinge-class submarine—A class of submarine developed by Kockums for the Swedish Navy
  • Type 218SG submarine—A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the Republic of Singapore Navy
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A unique class of diesel-electric attack submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently being built for Israel
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A class of extensively-customised diesel-electric attack submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by Israel
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A class of diesel-electric attack submarines currently being built by CSBC for Taiwan
  • KSS-III submarine—A class of diesel-electric attack and ballistic missile submarines, built by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and operated by the Republic of Korea Navy
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A class of diesel-electric attack submarines being built for the Russian Navy
  • S-80 Plus submarine—A class of conventionally-powered attack submarines, currently being built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack submarines, jointly developed by Naval Group and Navantia and currently operated by the Chilean Navy, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Indian Navy and the Brazilian Navy
  • Script error: The function "sclass" does not exist.—A class of diesel-electric attack submarines currently being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
  • Type 039A submarine—A class of diesel-electric attack submarines operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy (China) and being built for the Royal Thai Navy and the Pakistan Navy
  • Type 212 submarine—A class of diesel-electric attack submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and exclusively built for the German Navy, the Italian Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy
  • Type 214 submarine—A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack submarines, developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently operated by the Hellenic Navy, the Portuguese Navy, the Republic of Korea Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces

References

  1. ↑ "SS Soryu Class Submarines". Naval Technology. 2017-09-03. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sssoryuclasssubmarin/. 
  2. ↑ Japan commissions first Soryu-class submarine equipped with lithium-ion batteries Jane's, 05 March 2020
  3. ↑ "Japan launches newest submarine Kokuryu amid party atmosphere". The Japan Daily Press. 2013-11-04. http://japandailypress.com/japan-launches-newest-submarine-kokuryu-amid-party-atmosphere-0438960/. 
  4. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (2019-06-25). "Taking a Closer Look at Japan's Futuristic Attack Submarine". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Digital Media. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a28184939/29ss-japan-submarine/. 
  5. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (2019-11-07). "Meet the 29SS: Japan's New Stealth Submarine". The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/meet-29ss-japans-new-stealth-submarine-94991. 
  6. ↑ 海上自衛隊訓令第30号 , Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
  7. ↑ "Japanese Ministry of Defense website, 2015 Defense Budget". https://www.mod.go.jp/e/d_budget/pdf/270414.pdf. 
  8. ↑ "Japanese Media Now Openly Talking about Japan-Australia Soryu Deal". Asia Security Watch. http://asw.newpacificinstitute.org/?p=11560. 
  9. ↑ "Government struggling to find replacement design for Collins Class subs: Defence Minister". ABC News. 9 April 2014. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-09/defence-minister-david-johnston-collins-submarines-replacement/5377266. 
  10. ↑ "France wins $50b contract to help build Australia's new submarines". The Age. 26 April 2016. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/france-wins-50b-submarine-contract-20160425-goeuxh.html. 
  11. ↑ Carlin, Maya (1 August 2024). "Japan's Soryu-Class Submarines are Among the Best Stealth Subs Ever". The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/japans-soryu-class-submarines-are-among-best-stealth-subs-ever-212140. 
  12. ↑ "India asks Japan to offer Soryu subs for Project 75I requirement - IHS Jane's 360". http://www.janes.com/article/48448/india-asks-japan-to-offer-soryu-subs-for-project-75i-requirement. 
  13. ↑ Gabriel Dominguez. "Japan eyes used warship transfer to Philippines in bid to counter China". The Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/07/japan/politics/japan-philippines-used-destroyers-china/. 
  14. ↑ "Submarine Unryu Delivered". Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. 2010-03-25. Archived from the original on 2015-04-23. http://web.archive.org/web/20150423174429/https://www.khi.co.jp/pressrelease/detail/c3100325-2.html. 
  15. ↑ Japan receives Soryu-class attack submarine , Brahmand.com, 2017-03-16, accessed 2017-04-24

Template:Sōryū class submarines Template:Combatant ship classes of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force



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