JMSDF Commissioned its 10th Sōryū-class SSK SS-510 JS Shōryū しょうりゅう

JS Shoryu is the 10th Soryu-class submarine delivered to the JMSDF (the 5th built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the other 5 ones having been built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries). Shoryu (しょうりゅう) means Soaring Dragon. SS-510’s keel was laid in January 2015, the SSK was launched in November 2017.

The keel for the first submarine in the class, Soryu (SS-501), was laid down in March 2005. It was launched in December 2007 and commissioned in March 2009.

The latest Soryu class SSK SS-509 JS Seiryu was commissioned on March 12, 2018.

Over twelve Soryu-class submarines are planned for the JMSDF. The design features improved underwater endurance thanks to lithium-ion batteries from the eleventh submarine in the class. Previous submarines use Lead-acid batteries. Designed by GS Yuasa, the high-performance Li-Ion batteries are said to store about double the power. The Soyu-class is an improved version of the Oyashio-class submarine. Soryu-class submarines are the world’s largest conventionally powered submarines. All submarines of the class are named after dragons. Soryū means Blue Dragon, Hakuryū (2nd in the class) White Dragon, Sekiryū (8th in the class) Red Dragon…

Main characteristics (as provided by Kawasaki Heavy Industries):
Length 84.0m
Width 9.1m
Depth 10.3m
Draft 8.4m
Displacement 2,950 Tons
Engine:
– Kawasaki 12V 25 / 25SB type diesel engine 2 groups
– Kawasaki Kokkamusu V4-275R Stirling engine four
Propulsion motor: 1
Number of propellers: 1
Speed 20 knots