WAK 12-2022 Soryu / Unryu

Soryu is the name of a class of Japanese hybrid-powered fighter submarines (SS). The first unit of this type was launched in 2007. In total, 14 units of this type have been built or are planned to be built, of which 8 are active and remain in the line. The Soryu-class ship is 84 m long, 9.1 m wide, and has a displacement of about 4,200 tons. The maximum underwater speed is approximately 20 knots. The ships of this type are equipped with six 533 mm torpedo tubes.

The Soryu-class ships were developed and put into production in order to supplement, and eventually probably replace in line, Oyashio-class ships. The new submarines of the Japanese Navy are the first in its history to have an air-independent hybrid propulsion using Stirling engines. Such an advanced technological solution allows to reduce the noise of the unit, as well as significantly extend the time of its immersion during the patrol period. The units also have very modern electronic and hydroacoustic equipment. The ships can fire both classic torpedoes and the UGM-84A Sub Harpoon cruise missiles. They are currently one of the most modern non-nuclear powered submarines in the world, and the unit price of a single ship of this class is estimated at approx. $ 535 million according to 2015 prices.