4. Japanese Soryu Class Submarine
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is the main user.
Cost: $536.7 million* (unit cost) or $5.903 billion* (program cost) in FY2015
Attack submarines of the Soryu class are propelled by a combination of electric and diesel propulsion. 2009 saw the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force put the first Soryu-class vessel into service. The Oyashio-class served as the model for the Soryu-class, which is easily distinguished from it thanks to its X-shaped rudders and dive planes on the stern.
Japanese Submarine, Soryu Class ©viper-zero/SShutterstock
Eleven have been finished, twelve are in the planning stages, and one is currently under construction. With 4,134 long tons while submerged, the assault submarine in Kapan has the biggest displacement of any post-World War II submarine. The first Japanese submarine to use air-independent propulsion was the Soryu class.
zi ang