Japan's VLS Concept Submarine

On December 12, 2023, Japan's Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation unveiled its new submarine Vertical Launch System (VLS) concept. I provisionally dub it the "J-VLS-SSB" concept. J-VLS-SSBs may follow Japan's Taigei-class once all Taigeis have been completed in the 2030s. J-VLS-SSBs may feature VLS forward of sail. Artwork via Naval News.

As JS Taigei itself is to be converted to a "test submarine" it may be the first Japanese submarine to trial a single or multiple vertical missile system.

For more on J-VLS-SSB see https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/12/kawasaki-heavy-industry-unveils-new-submarine-concept-with-vls/