JMSDF commissions 11th Sōryū-class attack submarine

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned the diesel-electric attack submarine JS Oryu into service in a ceremony on Thursday, March 5.

Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Oryu is the 11th submarine in the Sōryū-class. It is also the world’s first diesel-electric attack submarine to be fitted with lithium-ion batteries, which have considerably greater storage power compared to traditional marine lead-acid batteries.

The submarine has a length of 84 metres, a hull diameter of nine metres, and a submerged displacement of 4,100 tonnes.