The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) commissioned a new diesel-electric submarine into service in a ceremony on Wednesday, March 9.
JS Taigei ("Great Whale") is the lead boat of a class of five. It has a length of 84 metres, a hull diameter of 9.1 metres, lithium-ion batteries for extended underwater endurance, and armament including torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Taigei was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Like its sisters, it is a modified variant of the Soryu-class submarines currently in service with the JMSDF.
