Media Releases

Media Release #1 (Sunday 20 October 2019)


Several countries have now revealed their intention to acquire naval combat submarines within the next decade that will be powered by lithium-ion main batteries.

 The media background is a collection of public information to provide the media with background on the current status of development and adoption of advanced battery power systems for naval submarine propulsion.

Media Release #2 (Wednesday 4 March 2020)


Since we released our media background on lithium battery adoption for submarines in October 2019, a number of developments have occurred and we have released an updated version which includes the following:

Updated information:
  • Launch of 2nd Japanese Soryu-class submarine fitted with lithium-ion main batteries
  • More recent information on the next generation Japanese naval submarines - the 29SS class - also to be fitted with lithium-ion main batteries
  • More detailed information on South Korea's next-generation naval submarines - the KSS-III Block 2 - to be fitted with lithium-ion main batteries
New information:
  • details of a 2018 concept study by Dutch naval architecture and marine engineering firm Nevesbu into a future all-battery electric submarine

Media Release #3 (Sunday 14 March 2021)

   Media background - lithium battery adoption for submarines 14Mar21

Since our updated media background on lithium-ion battery (LIB) adoption for naval submarines in early March 2020, the technology has become an operational reality with the commissioning of Japan's JS Oryu. The commissioning of a second LIB-equipped Soryu-class submarine, JS Toryu, is imminent.

Additional LIB-equipped submarines will be launched and commissioned by several countries within the next few years, and the media background document has been restructured to reflect this, with relevant status information now provided under the following headings:

  • LIB-EQUIPPED SUBMARINES IN OPERATIONAL SERVICE

  • LIB-EQUIPPED SUBMARINES IN FITOUT AND COMMISSIONING

  • LIB-EQUIPPED SUBMARINES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

  • LIB-EQUIPPED SUBMARINES PLANNED (confirmed)

  • LIB-EQUIPPED SUBMARINES PLANNED (unconfirmed)

  • LIB EVALUATION PROJECTS

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