Japan activates world's most advanced conventional submarine

One of the world's most advanced conventional submarines, Japan, has entered service.

Personnel stand on the Japanese submarine Raigei during a handover ceremony in Kobe on March 6. (Source: Nikkei)

According to SCMP , the submarine, named Raigei, is the latest in a class of submarine hunters designed to operate in relatively shallow waters.

The diesel-electric Raigei, also known as Thunder Whale, was completed at the Kawasaki Heavy Industry shipyard in Kobe and is the fourth vessel in the Taigei class of submarines of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF).

The 84-meter-long Raigei displaces 3,000 tons and is operated by a crew of 70 with an ultra-quiet propulsion system. The ship's six torpedo tubes can launch MSDF Type-18 torpedoes and can also launch Harpoon anti-ship missiles in all weather conditions from underwater.

Although the Raigei is smaller than the nuclear-powered submarines operated by other major naval powers, it was designed to meet Japan's unique needs.

The Raigei and other similar submarines are tasked with destroying enemy warships in the event of conflict and gathering intelligence, including in the Sea of Okhotsk, off the northern island of Hokkaido.

The launch of the ship on March 6 meets Japan's maritime defense needs with the ability to conduct stealth operations in narrow waters and also demonstrates the country's dislike of nuclear-powered submarines, analysts said.

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