The Soryu-class represents Japan’s advanced diesel-electric submarine design, jointly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation for the JMSDF. As an evolution of the Oyashio-class, the Soryu-class is designated under the 16SS project, with ten units planned for service. This class is also known as the SS 2,900t.
Propulsion & Endurance
Soryu submarines feature air-independent propulsion (AIP) using Kockums Stirling engines, built under license by Kawasaki, allowing extended submerged operations. Recent developments indicate that later units may replace Stirling AIP systems with Li-Ion battery banks, enhancing endurance and operational flexibility.
International Context
The Soryu-class is a contender in the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins-class replacement program. Other competitors include Germany’s Type-216 concept and a diesel-electric variant of France’s Barracuda-class nuclear submarine currently in development.
Fleet List
| Name | Hull | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soryu | 501 | 12/2007 | 03/2009 |
| Unryu | 502 | 10/2008 | 03/2010 |
| Hakuryu | 503 | 10/2009 | 03/2011 |
| Kenryu | 504 | 11/2010 | 03/2012 |
| Zuiryu | 505 | 10/2011 | 03/2013 |
| Kokuryu | 506 | 10/2013 | 03/2015 |
| Jinryu | 507 | 10/2014 | 03/2016 |
| ? | 508 | 2015 | 03/2017 |
| ? | 509 | ? | ? |
| ? | 510 | ? | ? |
Mission Capabilities
- Anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare
- Mine deployment and reconnaissance operations
Design & Construction
- Hydrodynamic hull based on Oyashio-class with increased displacement (2,950 tons full load).
- Crew complement: 65 personnel.
Weapons Systems
- Six 533 mm HU-606 torpedo tubes, compatible with:
- Type 89 torpedoes
- UGM-84 Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles
Sensors & Countermeasures
- Radar: 1× ZPS-6F surface/low-level air search
- Sonar Suite: Hughes/Oki ZQQ-7 with bow-array, 4 LF flank arrays, and towed array sonar
- Electronic Warfare & Decoys: ZLR-3-6 ESM, 2× 3-inch underwater countermeasure launchers for Acoustic Device Countermeasures (ADCs)
Propulsion
- Diesel-electric / AIP hybrid
- 2× Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB diesel engines
- 4× Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling AIP engines
- Single-shaft propulsion
Performance
- Surfaced speed: 13 knots | Submerged speed: 20 knots
- Operational range: 6,100 nm at 6.5 knots
- Estimated diving depth: 500 m
Dimensions
- Length: 84 m
- Beam: 9.1 m
- Draft: 8.5 m
Builder / Designer
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries & Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation
