Soryu-class Submarine

The Soryu class (Blue Dragon) is Japan's latest conventionally-powered submarine, featuring Stirling-cycle Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) for extended submerged endurance. Heavily armed with Type 89 torpedoes and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, it is among the world's most capable diesel-electric submarines.

Ten Soryu-class boats built 2009-2020. Lead boat Soryu commissioned 2009. Japan sold two submarines to Australia to help develop the Attack class (subsequently cancelled). Succeeded by the larger Taigei class which uses lithium-ion batteries instead of AIP.