The fourth diesel-electric submarine in the Taigei class has been commissioned by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The JS Raigei (“thunder whale”), which was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, was put into service three years after the lead submarine, which was named after itself, the JS Taigei (“big whale”), in March 2022. By the 2030s, the full fleet of eight planned submarines is expected to be operational.
