Japan's new 3,000-ton submarine with Harpoon missiles poses threat to China
Japan has commissioned a new hunter-killer submarine that can operate in shallow seas to protect borders. Called Raigei or Thunder Whale, the diesel-electric submarine is initially planned to operate around waters near the country's mainland where Chinese and Russian vessels operate.
Built at Kawasaki Heavy Industry's shipyards in Kobe, the 3,000-ton submarine is the fourth vessel in the country's Taigei class of vessels.Prepared at a cost of $470 million, the submarine is powered by diesel-electric engines generating 6,000 hp and has a maximum underwater speed of 20 knots.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) revealed that Raigei has better detection and anti-detection capabilities compared to the older Taigei class of submarines.Equipped with lithium-ion batteries in place of lead-acid ones, the vessel uses new Kawasaki 12V 25/31 diesel engines that are suitable with a new snorkel system for enhanced power generation efficiency.At 84 meters from bow to stern, a displacement of 3,000 tons, and a crew of 70, the Raigei has an ultra-quiet diesel-electric propulsion system that combines a diesel engine and lithium-ion batteries. Its six torpedo tubes can fire the MSDF's Type-18 torpedoes and also launch the Harpoon all-weather anti-shipping missiles from below the surface, reported SCMP.Although the submarine isn't nuclear powered, however, reports revealed that the vessel can meet Japan's maritime needs.
The submarine also employs a new combat management system (CMS) combining advanced integrated sensors, command-and-control, and weapon engagement systems. In addition, it adopts an enhanced snorkel system to reduce signatures, and a new-generation sonar system based on fiber-optic array technology to enhance detection capability, reported Naval News.Additionally, the Taigei-class is the first being equipped with a new domestically produced non-penetrating periscope manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric.
Lithium batteries used in the submarines also improves its operational flexibility, underwater endurance when compared to conventional vessels.
The submarine has ZQQ-8 sonar suite, which is an upgraded version of the ZQQ-7 system used in the preceding Soryu-class submarines.
The vessel has six 533mm HU-606 torpedo tubes that can launch Type 18 torpedoes and UGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles, which have a range of approximately 248 kilometers. With such weapon systems, the submarine can hit the targets beyond visual range.
The vessel's offensive capabilities against both surface and subsurface threats could pose a major challenge to China. The submarine is also equipped with electronic warfare and countermeasure systems that bolsters its survivability against attacks and detection.
The Raigei has been assigned to the 1st Submarine Squadron of Submarine Flotilla 1, stationed at the Kure Base in Hiroshima Prefecture. It will play a critical role in Japan's maritime security strategy, particularly in response to increasing naval activities in the region.
With the Chinese Navy expected to expand its presence in the Western Pacific, Japanese submarines, known for their stealth capabilities, are anticipated to play a key role in monitoring and deterring potential threats.
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