JS Hakugei

JS Hakugei (SS-514), "White Sperm Whale",[1][2] is the second boat of the Taigei-class attack submarine of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The submarine was ordered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in 2018 and laid down on 25 January 2019 at Kobe, Japan. Hakugei was launched on 14 October 2021. She was commissioned in March 2023.[3]

JS Hakugei being launched on 14 October 2021
History
Japan
NameHakugei (はくげい)
NamesakeWhite Sperm Whale
Ordered2018
BuilderKawasaki Heavy Industries
Cost¥69.7 billion
Laid down25 January 2019
Launched14 October 2021
Commissioned20 March 2023
IdentificationSS-514
StatusFitting out
General characteristics
Class and typeTaigei-class submarine
DisplacementSurface: 3,000 tonnes
Length84.0 m (275 ft 7 in)
Beam9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
Draught10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Complement70
Sensors and
processing systems
  • ZPS-6H surface/low-level air search radar
  • Oki ZQQ-8 Sonar
Armament

Development and design

The hull design of the Taigei class is said to not differ too much from the operational Sōryū class but will be 100 tons heavier than its predecessor. However, the Taigei-class submarines will be more advanced as they are equipped with newer equipment such as sonar and snorkel power generation systems. The Taigei class will use lithium-ion batteries much like JS Ōryū and JS Tōryū of the Sōryū-class submarines.[4] The submarine will likely use the Type 18 torpedo, which project name as "G-RX6".[5][6] In addition, in response to the lifting of restrictions on the placement of female SDF personnel on submarines, the work of female SDF personnel is being supported by establishing partitions in the living quarters and separate sleeping quarters for women.

Construction and career

Hakugei was laid down at Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard on 25 January 2019 as the 2017 plan 3000-ton submarine No. 8129 based on the medium-term defense capability development plan (26 medium-term defense), and in 2020. It was named Hakugei at the naming and launching ceremony held at the factory on 14 October. It was handed over to the Maritime Self-Defense Force on 20 March 2022.[7]

  • Hakugeis launching ceremony
    Hakugeis launching ceremony
  • Aft view of Hakugei
    Aft view of Hakugei
  • Bow of Hakugei
    Bow of Hakugei

Citations
  1. @JMSDF_PAO (14 October 2021). "10月14日、海上自衛隊は川崎重工業株式会社 神戸工場において、平成30年度計画潜水艦の命名式・進水式を実施し、「はくげい」と命名しました。「はくげい」は、たいげい型の2番艦であり、#白鯨 つまり白いマッコウクジラを意味します🐳" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 March 2022 – via Twitter.
  2. "海上自衛隊の最新鋭3000トン型潜水艦「はくげい」が進水――旧日本海軍での命名実績なし（高橋浩祐） - 個人". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  3. Vavasseur, Xavier (20 March 2023). "Japan Commissions 'Hakugei' 「はくげい」2nd Taigei Class Submarine". Naval News. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  4. Takahashi, Kosuke (14 October 2020). "MHI launches first of new class of submarines for JMSDF equipped with lithium-ion batteries". Janes.com. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  5. "軍事的雑学｜日本の新型｢3000トン型潜水艦｣は、そうりゅう型潜水艦を超える？". 航空万能論GF. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  6. "防衛省が新型潜水艦建造へ、燃料電池や新型ソナー、新型長魚雷で高性能化か". Naver. 2019. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  7. "Japan Commissions 'Hakugei' 「はくげい」2nd Taigei Class Submarine". Naval News. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
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