Kobe, March 6, 2008 - Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation today held a ceremony marking the delivery of the Mochishio submarine to the Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD) at its Kobe Shipyard’s Nishihama Quay. The ceremony was attended by a delegation of top MOD officials.

The 82 m long submarine is the eleventh Oyashio model submarine built by Kawasaki Shipbuilding, and the 23rd built after World War II. Its cigar-shaped hull allows superior submerged operations and propulsion performance. Other features include high tensile steel on the hull, a variety of automated systems, improved surveillance capabilities using high-performance sonar, increased stealth capabilities and enhanced safety measures.