Kawasaki Heavy Industries has officially launched the sixth Japanese submarine in Taggeii-class during a ceremony in Kobe. The new submarine, called JS Sogei (SS 518)is equipped with the latest lithium-ion battery technology.
The ceremony was held at Kawasaki’s shipyard in Kobe – a city known as the birthplace of Japanese submarine construction – and was monitored by naval officers and representatives from Japan’s maritime self -defense force (JMSDF).
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The name “SOGEI” (そうげい) means “large and luminous whales” and follows the tradition of Taggeii-Thlass by giving submarines names associated with the sea and whales.
According to JMSDF, JS SOGEI will officially be used by the Japanese Navy in March 2027, which will strengthen the country’s underwater capacities in the midst of the ongoing modernization of the fleet in the Indo Pacific region.
The construction of Sogei started on March 28, 2023. The submarine is designed to operate with a propulsion system based on lithium-ion batteries-a technology that replaces the traditional air-independent system (AIP)-and provides longer subdivision time, lower noise level and simpler maintenance.
With a standard displacement of 3,000 tonnes and a length of 84 meters, JS Sogei can reach speeds of up to 18 knots under water and 13 knots on the surface. The main armament consists of six torpedo tubes of 533 mm, compatible with type 18 torpedoes and Harpoon anti-placiles.
The submarine will also be equipped with the new cruise missiles 12ssm-iswhich was recently introduced to expand the Japanese Navy’s offensive reach.
Taggeii-The class represents a technological breakthrough for Japan, as it is the first class in the world developed specifically for lithium-ion batteries. This innovation places the Japanese Navy among the most advanced in the world when it comes to quiet progress and energy efficiency.
In March 2025, JMSDF had already used the fourth submarine in the same class, JS Raigeiwhich is currently based in Kure. Unlike the first models, Raigei has received updated Kawasaki 12V2531 diesel engines and the modern ZQQ-8-sonar system from OKI Electric Industries, showing the continuous technological development of the class.
Source and pictures: Japan’s Department of Defense – Maritime Self -Defense Forces | @Jmsdf_pao_. This content was created with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial staff.
