JS Raigei
 Raigei during her launch ceremony | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Japan | |
| Name | Raigei |
| Ordered | 2020 |
| Builder | Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard |
| Cost | 70.2 billion yen |
| Laid down | 26 March 2021 |
| Launched | 17 October 2023 |
| Commissioned | 8 March 2025 |
| Identification | Pennant number: SS-516 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Taigei-class submarine |
| Displacement | 3,000 t (3,000 long tons; 3,300 short tons) (standard) |
| Length | 84 m (275 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) |
| Depth | 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power | 6,000 PS (4,400 kW; 5,900 hp) |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric transmission, lithium-ion batteries |
| Crew | 70 |
| Sensors and processing systems | |
| Armament |
|
Raigei (らいげい ) is a diesel-electric submarine of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the fourth boat of the Taigei class. Her name (in kanji as 雷鯨, literally meaning 'thunder whale') has not been used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, making Raigei the first naval vessel to be named in this manner.[1] Like her older sister ships, Raigei will be fitted with dedicated living quarters for up to six female crew members from the time of commissioning. She is also the first boat to be fitted with the Kawasaki 12V 25/31 diesel engine.[1]
History
Raigei was laid down on 26 March 2021 at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Kobe Shipyard as the fourth 3,000-ton submarine planned for the JMSDF's Mid-Term Defense Program. She was christened and launched at the same shipyard on 17 October 2023.[1] After being fitted out and undergoing various sea trials, Raigei was commissioned on 6 March 2025, being deployed to the 1st Submarine Group in Kure.[2][3][4]
References
- ^ a b c Takahashi, Kosuke (17 October 2023). "海自の最新鋭潜水艦たいげい型4番艦「らいげい」進水 高出力の新型ディーゼル機関を初採用" [The MSDF's latest Taigei-class submarine, the fourth, "Raigei," is launched; the first to use a new high-output diesel engine.]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "仏原子力潜水艦よりビッグ！ 海自の最新潜水艦「らいげい」進水 就役はいつ？" [Bigger than a French nuclear submarine! The JMSDF's newest submarine, "Raigei," is launched. When will it be commissioned?]. 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ "潜水艦「らいげい」の引渡式・自衛艦旗授与式について" [Regarding the handover ceremony and presentation of the Self-Defense Force Flag for the Submarine "Raigei"] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Maritime Staff Office. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ Takahashi, Kosuke (6 March 2025). "海自の最新鋭潜水艦たいげい型4番艦「らいげい」就役 高出力の新型ディーゼル機関を初採用 呉基地に配備" [The MSDF's latest Taigei-class submarine, the fourth, "Raigei," is commissioned. It is the first to use a new high-power diesel engine and is deployed at the Kure base.]. Yahoo Japan News (in Japanese). Retrieved 8 March 2025.