The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) has just taken delivery of Chōgei, its fifth Taigei-class submarine.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries handed over the 3,000-ton diesel-electric attack submarine to the JMSDF in a special ceremony at its Kobe Shipyard yesterday (Tuesday).
Compared to the Soryu-class submarine it is replacing, the Chogei is stealthier, running while submerged on electricity from lithium-ion batteries, and features next-generation sonar with improved detection capabilities.
The 84-metre boat requires a crew of 70 sailors; it is capable of a top speed of about 20 knots. Its name translates as ‘long whale’ and it reportedly cost just over 68bn yen (about £320m) to build.
MHI laid down the hull of the boat back in April 2022; Chogei was launched in October 2024. She is the third Taigei-class sub built by MHI, after Taigei and Jingei; the other two boats in the class, Hakugei and Raigei, were constructed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
The submarine is the second new vessel for the JMSDF inside a week. Late last week, it commissioned its fourth Hibiki-class surveillance ship, the Bingo.
Also built by MHI, the 67m twin-hull vessel’s primary mission is anti-submarine warfare (ASW); she uses towed sonar arrays and has a 3,800-nautical-mile range.
The other three ships in the class, Hibiki, Harima and Aki were all constructed by Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding. The first two boats were built in the 1990s, but two further ships were ordered by Japan in response to increased submarine activity from potential adversaries.
- You can read more details on the MHI website and the JMSDF website