The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force held a formal flag-lowering and retirement ceremony for the JS Udzushio. This submarine, belonging to the “Oyashio class”, symbolizes the official end of its 25-year active service career in the Japanese fleet.
“Uzushio” was officially commissioned on March 9, 2000. The ship construction project started at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Shipyard in Kobe on March 6, 1996, and was launched on October 15, 1998. This design generation has played a central role in Japan’s submarine deterrence and underwater surveillance capabilities over the past several decades.
As of December 2025, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force still operates 6 Oyashio-class submarines. Two of the ships – “Isoshio” and “Makashio” – have been converted for training purposes, mainly for the training of new generation submarine officers and soldiers.
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Technical characteristics
The Oyashio-class submarine has a standard displacement of 2,750 tons and an underwater displacement of approximately 5,500 tons. The ship is 82 meters long and 8.9 meters wide. Its surface speed can reach 12 knots and its submarine speed is about 20 knots.
The standard establishment is about 70 officers and soldiers. The armament includes six 533mm torpedo tubes and can use Type 89 torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Transformation towards a new generation
The direct successor of the Oyashio class isTaigei classThe submarine is currently under construction for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This new generation of submarines has made significant progress in reducing their acoustic signature and uses more advanced propulsion systems. So far, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has provided funding for 10 whale-class submarines, 4 of which have been put into active service, and another 4 are in various stages of construction.
Thank you for your hard work for a long time to return the Self-Defense Flag.
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— MICHIYA MURATA (@MICHIYAM) December 19, 2025
Source & Photos: MICHIYA MURATA X @MICHIYAM | Militarnyi. This content is produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
