Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries has delivered the world’s first submarine equipped with lithium-ion batteries to the country’s navy in late 2021. The Taigei-class submarine is named Hakugei, which translates as “White Whale,” and has now entered service.
Its lithium-ion batteries allow the craft to stay underwater for longer. The submarine also has a hybrid electric-diesel engine.
The advantage of this propulsion system is that the craft can move almost silently and show little trace to rival tracking devices. The submarine can accelerate very quickly.
The Hakugei is 84 meters long and has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes and is capable of carrying up to 30 missiles. The Taigei class is part of Japan’s efforts to modernize its navy. Hakugei is the first submarine of the Taigei class. It costs about $5.4 billion. By 2030, the Land of the Rising Sun will have 7 submarines of the class.
