JS ''Hakugei'' (SS-514), "White

Sperm Whale The sperm whale or cachalot (''Physeter macrocephalus'') is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the Genus (biology), genus ''Physeter'' and one of three extant species in the s ...

", is the second boat of the

attack submarine An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants, and merchant vessels. In the Soviet Navy, Soviet and Russian Navy, Russian navies ...

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The , abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy ( ...

. The submarine was ordered from

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a Japanese Public company, public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, Heavy equipment (construction), heavy equipment, aerospace and Military, defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Minato, To ...

in 2018 and

laid down Laying the keel or laying down is the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. It is often marked with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipbuilding company and the ultimate owners of the ship. Keel laying is one ...

on 25 January 2019 at

Kobe Kobe ( ; , ), officially , is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. With a population of around 1.5 million, Kobe is Japan's List of Japanese cities by population, seventh-largest city and the third-largest port city after Port of Toky ...

, Japan. ''Hakugei'' was launched on 14 October 2021. She was commissioned in March 2023.

Development and design

The hull design of the ''Taigei'' class is said to not differ too much from the operational but will be 100 tons heavier than its predecessor. However, the ''Taigei''-class submarines will be more advanced as they are equipped with newer equipment such as sonar and snorkel power generation systems. The ''Taigei'' class will use

lithium-ion batteries A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses the reversible intercalation of Li+ ions into electronically conducting solids to store energy. Li-ion batteries are characterized by higher specific energy, energy ...

, much like and of the ''Sōryū''-class submarines. The submarine will likely use the Type 18 torpedo, which project name as "G-RX6". In addition, in response to the lifting of restrictions on the placement of female SDF personnel on submarines, the work of female SDF personnel is being supported by establishing partitions in the living quarters and separate sleeping quarters for women.

Construction and career

''Hakugei'' was laid down at

Shipyard on 25 January 2019 as the 2017 plan 3000-ton submarine No. 8129 based on the medium-term defense capability development plan (26 medium-term defense), and in 2020. It was named ''Hakugei'' at the naming and

launching ceremony An opening ceremony, grand opening, or ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official opening of a newly constructed location or the start of an event.

held at the factory on 14 October. It was handed over to the Maritime Self-Defense Force on 20 March 2022.

Gallery

File:JS Hakugei(SS-514) launching ceremony at Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard October 14, 2021 01.jpg, ''Hakugei''s launching ceremony File:JS Hakugei(SS-514) launching ceremony at Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard October 14, 2021 27.jpg, Aft view of ''Hakugei'' File:JS Hakugei(SS-514) launching ceremony at Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard October 14, 2021 24.jpg, Bow of ''Hakugei''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hakugei (SS-514) Ships built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries 2021 ships Taigei-class submarines