Arashio alongside inApra Harbor on 1 April 1984
Class overview
Name	Asashio class
Builders	Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by	Ōshio class
Succeeded by	Uzushio class
Built	1964−1969
In commission	1966−1986
Planned	4
Completed	4
Retired	4
General characteristics
Type	Submarine
Displacement	1,650long tons (1,680 t) surfaced 2,150 long tons (2,180 t) submerged
Length	88 m (288 ft 9 in)
Beam	8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
Draft	4.9 m (16 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	KawasakiDiesel-electric, 2 shafts 2,900 bhp (2,200 kW) (surfaced) 6,300 shp (4,700 kW) (submerged)
Speed	14knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) surfaced 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) submerged
Complement	80
Armament	6 ×bow 533 mm (21 in)torpedo tubes 2 × stern 320 mm (12.7 in) torpedo tubes

TheAsashio-class submarine is asubmarine class ofJapanese Maritime Self-Defense Force comprising four boats. This class is the successor ofŌshio. The class were the first fleet submarines constructed for post-war Japan. The first submarine was authorized as part of the 1963 shipbuilding programme. Their design improved on previous Japanese classes by being larger to obtain better seaworthiness with greater torpedo stowage. The class entered service in the late 1960s and remained as such until the mid-1980s when they were taken out of service.

Based on the precedingŌshio, theAsashio class were of similar design but with a different shapedbow and improvedsonar. They are considered the firstfleet submarines constructed for Japan in the post-World War II era.^[1] The submarines, constructed with adouble hull,^[2] measured 88 meters (288 ft 9 in) long with abeam of 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) and adraft of 4.9 m (16 ft 1 in). The vessels had astandard displacement of 1,650long tons (1,680 t) surfaced and a submerged displacement of 2,150 long tons (2,180 t).^[1] TheAsashio class had a complement of 80.^[3] TheAsashio class were propelled by twopropellers powered by adiesel-electric system comprising twoKawasakidiesel engines creating 2,900brake horsepower (2,200 kW) and two electric motors creating 6,300shaft horsepower (4,700 kW). This gave the submarines a maximum speed of 14knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) submerged and 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) while surfaced.^[3]

The vessels were equipped with eighttorpedo tubes, six in the bow and two in the stern.^[1][3] The sources disagree on the torpedo armament, with two sources stating that all eight were for 533-millimeter (21.0 in) torpedoes,^[1][3] while another states that only the forward six were for the 533 mm torpedoes and the stern tubes were for 320 mm (12.7 in) torpedoes.^[2] Moore^[2] and Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon^[1] state that the stern tubes were for "swim-out" torpedoes with Gardiner, Chumbley and Budzbon adding they were foranti-submarine warfare (ASW) and that the forward tubes were intended for USMark 54 torpedoes.^[1] This is erroneous because, aside from being of the wrong size and role, the Mark 54 entered service in 2004; the text must actually be referring to the Japanese-designedType 54 torpedoes, and conflating them with the USMark 37, of which one variant was locally manufactured in Japan, and other variants imported. They carried a total of 20 torpedoes.^[4] TheAsahio class mounted ZPS-3radar, SQS-4 activesonar and JQS-3A and JQQ-2A passive sonars. They were also equipped with BLR-1 intercept equipment.^[3]

The first submarineAsashio was ordered as part of the 1963 shipbuilding programme.^[2] Construction was split between the Kawasaki and Mitsubishi yards atKobe. The submarines were used for ASW training for surface ships innaval exercises. The class was deleted in the mid-1980s.^[1][4]

• JDSKuroshio – First submarine acquired by the JMSDF, via it being loaned by the U.S under theMilitary Assistance Program.
• JDS Oyashio – First naval submarine built in post-war Japan.

• Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1986).Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN 0-85368-860-5.
• Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995).Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
• Moore, John, ed. (1982).Jane's Fighting Ships 1981–82 (85th ed.). London: Jane's Publishing Incorporated.ISBN 0-86720-617-9.
• Moore, John, ed. (1984).Jane's Fighting Ships 1984–85. New York: Jane's Publishing Incorporated.ISBN 0-7106-0795-4.

• Submarine classes
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Asashio-class submarines

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• Short description matches Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from November 2019
• Articles containing Japanese-language text