Natsushio-class submarine

The Natsushio-class submarines were a pair of submarines constructed and operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during the Cold War. They were a development of the s and are sometimes considered the same class. They were small and limited in capability but were thought to be a successful class. They entered service in 1963–1964 and were deleted in 1978.

Design and description

The Natsushios were a development of the preceding and are sometimes considered the same class. They shared many of the same characteristics with small design improvements. They were small submarines with limited capability but considered handy and a successful class. They were air-conditioned and had good habitability for the crews. The submarines measured long overall with a beam of and a draft of. The submarines had a standard displacement of, with a surfaced displacement of and submerged.
The vessels were powered by a diesel-electric system. Two shafts were powered by two Sulzer-Mitsubishi diesel engines creating and two electric motors creating. This gave the submarines a maximum speed of surfaced and submerged. The Natsushios were armed with three torpedo tubes in the bow. They had a crew of 43.