Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) launched a new diesel-electric submarine at its Kobe shipyard on Thursday, October 8.
The future JS Shogei is the seventh submarine in the Taigei-class built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The boat has a standard displacement of 3,000 tonnes, a length of 84 metres, and a beam of 9.1 metres.
Delivery is scheduled for March 2028.
MHI said the submarine will undergo outfitting covering her hull, machinery, electrical systems and weapons before delivery to the Japanese Ministry of Defence.
The future Shogei will be fitted with Kawasaki 12V 25/31 engines along with large-capacity lithium-ion batteries. Her weapons will meanwhile include Type 18 torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles.
The Taigei-class succeeds the Soryu-class, retaining a broadly similar hull design with changes for sonar and snorkel systems. The JMSDF commissioned the fifth boat, JS Chogei, in March 2026, while the sixth boat, the future JS Sogei, was launched in October last year.