New MSDF submarine Shogei launched in Kobe, due to enter service around March 2028
In short
A naming and launch ceremony for a new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) submarine was held on October 8 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard, and the vessel was named Shogei (しょうげい). According to the MSDF, it is the seventh boat of the Taigei (たいげい) class, 84 metres long, built at a cost of about 80.5 billion yen, and it is scheduled to enter service around March 2028.
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A naming and launch ceremony for a new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) submarine was held on October 8 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard in Kobe, and the vessel was named Shogei (しょうげい), Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the submarine was unveiled at the shipyard on the morning of October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the MSDF, the submarine is the seventh vessel of the latest Taigei (たいげい) class. It is 84 metres long and 9.1 metres wide, with a standard displacement of about 3,000 tonnes and a crew of about 70, the two newspapers reported. TBS NEWS DIG gave the width as about 9 metres and described the vessel as one of the largest submarines in Japan. All three outlets put the construction cost at about 80.5 billion yen. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that the submarine is scheduled to enter MSDF service around March 2028. TBS NEWS DIG said in its headline that it is due to be handed over to the MSDF around the same time. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
TBS NEWS DIG reported that the submarine has high detection capability. It said the vessel carries diesel engines and lithium-ion batteries, which improve its quietness. [ 1 ]
The name was chosen through an open call within the MSDF and combines the character 翔, meaning to soar, with 鯨, meaning whale, the newspapers reported. TBS NEWS DIG described the name as a coined word meaning "soaring whale". Under an MSDF directive, the force's submarines are named after aquatic animals and similar subjects, according to Tokyo Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The launch adds a seventh vessel to the MSDF's latest Taigei class, at a reported construction cost of about 80.5 billion yen. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the submarine's diesel engines and lithium-ion batteries improve its quietness. The MSDF plans to bring it into service around March 2028.
Key facts
- The naming and launch ceremony was held on October 8 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard in Kobe. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The submarine was named Shogei (しょうげい), a coined word combining the characters for soaring (翔) and whale (鯨). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- According to the MSDF, it is the seventh vessel of the latest Taigei (たいげい) class. [ 2 , 3 ]
- It is 84 metres long and 9.1 metres wide, with a standard displacement of about 3,000 tonnes. [ 2 , 3 ]
- It will have a crew of about 70. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Construction cost about 80.5 billion yen. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The submarine is scheduled to enter MSDF service around March 2028. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A naming and launch ceremony for the submarine was held on October 8 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard in Kobe. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The submarine was named Shogei, a coined word meaning soaring whale. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It is 84 metres long and cost about 80.5 billion yen to build. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It is due to be delivered to or enter service with the MSDF around March 2028. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- According to the MSDF, it is the seventh vessel of the Taigei class, with a standard displacement of about 3,000 tonnes and a crew of about 70. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The submarine is one of the largest in Japan. Only TBS NEWS DIG describes it this way; the other outlets do not.
- The submarine has high detection capability, and its diesel engines and lithium-ion batteries improve its quietness. Reported only by TBS NEWS DIG, which does not name the source of the claim.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TBS NEWS DIG reports that the submarine was unveiled at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Kobe Shipyard that morning and named Shogei. [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun reports the naming and launch ceremony, citing MSDF specifications and a commissioning date around March 2028. [ 2 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun publishes the same details. [ 3 ]