JS Taigei

JS Taigei after her conversion to an experimental submarine
History
Japan
Name	Taigei (たいげい)
Namesake	Big Whale
Ordered	2017
Builder	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Cost	¥69.7 billion
Laid down	16 March 2018
Launched	14 October 2020
Commissioned	9 March 2022
Reclassified	Experimental submarine, 8 March 2024
Identification	SS-513 (until 2024) SSE-6201 (from 2024)
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Taigei-class submarine
Displacement	Surface: 3,000 tonnes
Length	84.0  m (275  ft 7  in)
Beam	9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
Draught	10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Complement	70
Sensors and processing systems	ZPS-6H surface/low-level air search radar Oki ZQQ-8 Sonar
Armament	6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes for: 1.) Type 89 torpedo or Type 18 torpedo 2.) Harpoon (missile)

JS Taigei (SS-513) is the first boat of the Taigei-class attack submarine of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The submarine was ordered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2017 and laid down on 16 March 2018 at Kobe, Japan. Taigei was launched on 14 October 2020 and commissioned on 9 March 2022. ^[1]

Development and design

The hull design of the Taigei class is said to not differ too much from the operational Sōryū class but will be 100 tons heavier than its predecessor. However, the Taigei-class submarines will be more advanced as they are equipped with newer equipment such as sonar systems and snorkel power generation system. The Taigei class will use lithium-ion batteries much like Ōryū and Tōryū of the Sōryū-class submarines. ^[2] The submarine will likely use the Type 18 torpedo, which project name is "G-RX6". ^{[3] [4]} In addition, in response to the lifting of restrictions on the placement of female SDF personnel on submarines, the work of female SDF personnel is being supported by establishing partitions in the living quarters and securing bedrooms for women.

Construction and career

JS Taigei on 14 October 2020

Taigei was laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard on 16 March 2018 as the 2017 plan 3000-ton submarine No. 8128 based on the medium-term defense capability development plan (26 medium-term defense), and in 2020. It was named Taigei at the naming and launching ceremony held at the factory on 14 October. It was handed over to the Maritime Self-Defense Force on 9 March 2022 and deployed to the Yokosuka Naval Base. ^[1] Construction cost was estimated at US$ 720 million. ^[5]

In June 2023, the submarine participated in exercises with a visiting vessel of the French Navy, the frigate Lorraine. ^[6]

With the commissioning of JS Jingei, on 8 March 2024, Taigei was converted to experimental submarine SSE-6201. Thereafter, Taigei is used as a testbed for new equipment such as sonar equipment and underwater launchers^{[ clarification needed ]} with noise reduction, benefiting the technological research and development of Japanese submarines, while freeing up other submarines for combat missions, which until then new equipment had to be tested on active submarines in rotation. ^[7]

References

1. 新型潜水艦「たいげい」就役 海自、22隻体制に増強. 中日新聞Web (in Japanese). The Chunichi Shimbun. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
2. Takahashi, Kosuke (14 October 2020). "MHI launches first of new class of submarines for JMSDF equipped with lithium-ion batteries". Janes’. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
3. "軍事的雑学｜日本の新型｢3000トン型潜水艦｣は、そうりゅう型潜水艦を超える？". 航空万能論GF. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
4. "防衛省が新型潜水艦建造へ、燃料電池や新型ソナー、新型長魚雷で高性能化か". Naver. 2019. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
5. "Japan unveils new submarine in face of China's growing assertiveness". The Japan Times. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
6. "FAPF – Manœuvres conjointes entre les forces maritimes japonaises et la FREMM-DA Lorraine". Ministère des Armées. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
7. Takahashi, Kosuke (8 March 2024). "海上自衛隊の最新鋭たいげい型潜水艦3番艦「じんげい」就役――1番艦「たいげい」は試験潜水艦に種別変更" [The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's third Taigei-class submarine, the Jingei, is commissioned -- the first, the Taigei, is reclassified as a test submarine]. Yahoo! Japan News (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 February 2025.

External links

• 試験潜水艦「たいげい」型 (in Japanese) - Ministry of Defence (Japan)