Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) held a naming and launching ceremony for the new Taigei-class submarine being built for Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
As disclosed, the ceremony took place at Kobe Shipyard on October 8, 2026. The new submarine was named Shogei and is the seventh vessel of the Taigei-class, which succeeds the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Sōryū-class submarines.
Following the launch, MHI will carry out outfitting work, including the installation of the submarine’s hull systems, machinery, electrical equipment and weapons. The submarine is scheduled to be delivered to Japan’s Ministry of Defense during fiscal year 2027.
Credit: MHI
Credit: MHI
Credit: MHI
In March this year, JMSDF commissioned the fifth vessel in this class, Chogei, built by MHI. Chogei has a length of 84 metres, a hull diameter of 9.1 metres, and can accommodate a crew of 70 members. Unlike its sister vessels, the submarine also features separate accommodation spaces for female crewmembers.
The ship is a conventionally powered submarine that employs a diesel-electric propulsion system and runs submerged using electricity from lithium-ion batteries. Compared to the Soryu-class submarines, it features sonar with improved detection capabilities and a quieter hull structure, with a standard displacement of approximately 3,000 tons.
Taigei-class submarines are also being built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), so the sixth vessel in this class, Sougei, was launched and named in October last year.