Navy

Japan welcomes its first submarine powered by lithium-ion batteries into service that provides longer endurance at speeds up to 20 knots while submerged

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has introduced a new submarine to its fleet that runs on lithium-ion batteries.

The vessel, named Ouryu, launched in 2018 but was recently welcomed into service at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) shipyard in Kobe last week.

It is the first Japanese submarine to use the technology, which requires less maintenance and allows for longer endurance at high speeds of 20 knots while submerged compared to lead-acid batteries.

The Ouryu is the sixth Soryu-class boat to be built by MHI and is 276 feet long, 2,950-pound submarine that supports a crew of 65 people and carries up to 30 21-inch heavyweight torpedoes.