Submarine
Soryu / Taigei-class submarine
The Soryu class is a Japanese diesel-electric attack submarine built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, in service since 2009. Twelve boats were commissioned, followed by the Taigei class, and only the JMSDF operates them.
Japan|Mitsubishi Heavy Industries & Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesWhat Is the Soryu / Taigei-class submarine? Overview, History and Development
The Soryu class comprises 12 boats commissioned from 2009 to 2021. The first ten use a Kockums Stirling air-independent propulsion system licensed by Kawasaki, while the last two, Oryu and Toryu, switched to lithium-ion batteries without AIP, among the first large submarines to do so. A boat displaces about 2,950 t surfaced and 4,200 t submerged, is 84 m long and has a crew of about 65. Speed is about 20 knots submerged, with X-shaped rudders.
Armament is six 533 mm tubes with Type 89 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles. The successor Taigei class (29SS) has about 4,300 t submerged and lithium-ion batteries, with Taigei commissioned in March 2022, Hakugei in 2023 and Jingei in 2024, and seven planned. A Soryu costs about ¥53–60 billion, roughly US$500–600 million. The class lost Australia’s SEA 1000 competition in 2016 to France’s Shortfin Barracuda. Japan has no nuclear submarines. Rivals include Type 212A/214, Scorpène and KSS-III.
Soryu / Taigei-class submarine Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Soryu / Taigei-class submarine Variants and Versions Compared
Soryu is the original class of ten boats with Stirling AIP, commissioned from 2009.
Soryu (Li-ion) refers to the last two boats, Oryu and Toryu, which use lithium-ion batteries instead of AIP.
Taigei is the successor class of about 4,300 t submerged, with the lead boat commissioned in March 2022.
Which Countries Use the Soryu / Taigei-class submarine? Operators and Users
JapanSoryu / Taigei-class submarine FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Soryu-class submarines does Japan have?
Japan has 12 Soryu-class submarines, commissioned between 2009 and 2021. The Taigei class is replacing them, with three boats commissioned by 2024 and seven planned in total.
How much does a Soryu-class submarine cost?
A Soryu-class submarine costs about ¥53–60 billion, which is roughly US$500–600 million. The figure is hedged and varies with the exchange rate.
Does Japan have nuclear submarines?
No, Japan does not have nuclear submarines. The JMSDF operates diesel-electric boats such as the Soryu and Taigei classes, and a next-generation boat with vertical launchers has been announced for the late 2020s.
Why did Australia not buy the Soryu-class?
Australia chose France’s Naval Group Shortfin Barracuda over the Soryu-class in 2016 for its SEA 1000 project. Australia later switched to AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines instead.
Soryu-class vs Type 212A: which is better?
The Soryu is larger at about 4,200 t submerged against about 1,830 t for the Type 212A. Both have been built with air-independent propulsion, but later Soryu boats use lithium-ion batteries instead.
What is the difference between Soryu and Taigei class?
The Taigei class is a successor to the Soryu class with about 4,300 t submerged, lithium-ion batteries and a crew of about 70. The Soryu’s first ten boats use Stirling AIP.