The Japanese fleet does not possess nuclear submarines, but it has at its disposal twenty multipurpose submarines (non-nuclear submarines), which are fully consistent with the requirements of their time. These are Oyashio and Soryu submarines. The oldest of them all, the lead ship Oyashio with tail number SS-590, entered the fleet on March 16, 1998. Against the backdrop of some Russian and American submarines - relatively recently. The atomic "strategist" USS Ohio (SSGN-726), we recall, was commissioned in 1981, and he is currently in active service.
There is another important aspect that characterizes the Japanese submarine fleet. This is the technical level. The Soryu submarine, among other things, has an air-independent Stirling engine. The very notorious anaerobic installation that will never get to Russian non-nuclear submarines. And which gives a very high (by the standards of diesel-electric boats) freedom of action.
In general, according to experts, Japanese submarines are among the most technologically advanced and dangerous for the enemy. And the Japanese fleet, as a whole, as the chart of the Naval Analyzes organization shows, looks very impressive. However, this is far from the end. And it's not just about the intentions of the Japanese to equip aircraft-carrying ships with fifth-generation F-35B fighters.
Submarine of His Majesty
Popular Mechanics recently drew attention to images of a promising submarine from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, part of the Mitsubishi Group. The non-nuclear submarine was named 29SS, where “29” comes from the year of Emperor Akihito's reign (namely, 2017), and SS is the international abbreviation for non-nuclear multipurpose submarines. As experts note, purely conceptually, the 29SS repeats "Soryu" in many respects, but even a cursory visual inspection also reveals significant differences.
The design of the case was made more "futuristic", which can be aimed at achieving a wow-effect (we are still talking about images, recall), however, most likely, it is intended to reduce hydrodynamic resistance. Roughly speaking, to make the submarine faster, more maneuverable and improve its autonomy in comparison with the Soryu-class submarine. And, of course, it serves to increase the key indicator for each submarine, namely, to reduce the noise level and, as a result, to increase its survivability. The same purpose is served by the water jet propulsion unit selected instead of the propeller.
Renowned navy expert H. I. Sutton believes that the new development should be taken as seriously as possible. However, one should not expect any kind of revolution from the 29SS. “The design of the new ship,” says the specialist, “focuses on improving the concept of the submarine (apparently referring to the Soryu-class boats, - Military Review) and shows that the Japanese navy will continue to move forward by creating highly efficient submarines which are arguably the best non-nuclear submarines in the world."
According to experts, the continuity with the Soryu-class submarine will be visible in the case of weapons. The 29SS is likely to receive six 533mm torpedo tubes that could be located in the bow of the ship. Note that the total "Soryu" can carry up to 30 torpedoes, and instead of some of them it is capable of using UGM-84 anti-ship missiles. It is also worth mentioning that modern German submarines of Project 212A, as well as Russian diesel-electric submarines of Project 677, have a similar set of weapons.
Even less certain is the timing. It is known that research and development work will be extended from 2025 to 2028, and the new submarine of the "Soryu" type will be replaced by a new submarine in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces around the 2030s. However, this is provided that there will be no "force majeure".
Who are we going to fight against?
Despite the long-standing territorial dispute, it is unlikely that the new Japanese weapon can be directed against Russia. It, to put it mildly, pales against the background of the old, but no less urgent, Japanese-Chinese contradictions: it is enough to recall the attitude towards World War II and the actual support by the People's Republic of China of the odious leaders of the DPRK. However, perhaps the Japanese, with all their desire, will not be able to find an effective response to the Chinese fleet, which, we recall, recently surpassed the US Navy in terms of the number of warships (it is still too early to speak of a qualitative superiority).
The Australian edition of Defense Connect has also reacted to the development of the 29SS, recalling the planned commissioning of twelve new multipurpose non-nuclear submarines by the Australian fleet, designed to ensure the safety of the distant continent.
The submarines, the type of which is named with the uncomplicated name "Attack", will be built on the basis of the project of the French shipbuilding company Naval Group under the name Shortfin Barracuda. The new boats will replace the Collins class ships currently in service. It is noteworthy that this program has already cost the Australian taxpayers a fantastic amount - $ 50 billion. Approximately so much the United States of America spent on the development of the F-35, so that the successes of Japan in this direction could turn out to be a big scandal for the Australian authorities, among other things.
