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. Similar to its slightly earlier siblings, they were small and limited in capability, but similar to the preceding , were thought to be a success. They entered service in 1963–1964 and were decommissioned 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 were considered handy and successful nonetheless. They were air-conditioned and had good habitability for their 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.
Boats in class Natsushio class construction data Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate SS-523 5 December 1961 18 September 1962 29 June 1963 Deleted 20 March 1978 SS-524 6 December 1961 14 December 1962 17 September 1963 Deleted 20 June 1978
See also Equivalent submarines of the same era Type 205 Hajen class
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