Here's Soryu submarineJS Hakuryu visiting Naval Station Pearl Harbour in 2013 (though video uploaded to Youtube in 2015). JS Hakuryu is the sub that will be visiting Sydney. The engine noises appear not to be the deeper noise of submarine diesels but changing noises from an outboard motor, tugboat engines and the background noise of a large working harbour.
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JS Hakuryu (SS-503) will begin at Kure Submarine Base (southern Japan), US Guam Naval Base then Fleet Base East (Sydney, Australia)
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COMMENT
Japan is utilising the annual (?) Australia-Japan bilateral naval exercise known as “NICHI GOU TRIDENT” to showcase the Soryu submarine (JS Hakuryu) in waters in and around Sydney. If, later this year, Australia chooses the Japanese contender (in the Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP)) as future submarine provider it will (by about 2033) bear many similarities to the Soryu.
A major difference, only observable inside the submarine, is that JS Hakuryu has traditional lead-acid batteries and air independent propulsion (AIP). If Australia buys the Japanese submarines they are very likely not to have AIP but instead will have new, high capacity, lithium-ion batteries (called LIBs).
It reflects how much Japan wants the submarine contract that the Soryu will be showcased in Sydney. Bilateral exercises that include submarines also reflect Australia's close strategic connection with Japan. It is significant that neither the German contender (TKMS) nor French contender (DCNS) are known to be showcasing their submarines, in Sydney Harbour or Fleet Base West, Rockingham.
Some idea of the TKMS Type 216 (drawing board) design could be gained from the Types 209, 212A or 214 TKMS has built. The 2,000 tonne (surfaced) Type 218SG (for Singapore) will provide interesting design ideas when it is completed around 2019.
The DCNS designed Scorpene (in Australia's region belonging to the Indian and Malaysan navies) could give some idea of what the Shortfin (drawing board) design will look like. The Suffren, first of the Barracuda SSNs, being built at DCNS Cherbourg, France, will provide an even more precise idea of what a Shortfin would look like when launched next year. Some useful Barracuda images and details.
Some idea of the TKMS Type 216 (drawing board) design could be gained from the Types 209, 212A or 214 TKMS has built. The 2,000 tonne (surfaced) Type 218SG (for Singapore) will provide interesting design ideas when it is completed around 2019.
The DCNS designed Scorpene (in Australia's region belonging to the Indian and Malaysan navies) could give some idea of what the Shortfin (drawing board) design will look like. The Suffren, first of the Barracuda SSNs, being built at DCNS Cherbourg, France, will provide an even more precise idea of what a Shortfin would look like when launched next year. Some useful Barracuda images and details.
It must be added that the Japanese contender in the CEP includes the building companies (MHI and KHI) AND, in practical terms, the Japanese Navy. TKMS and DCNS don’t get such automatic cooperation from their navies - hence sailing a submarine half way around the world is not as easy.
S in Commentsprovided most of the info below from Japanese Ministry of Defence document http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/info/news/201603/20160309-01.pdf[which is in Japanese] Pete has added some extra details.
On March 9, 2016, the Maritime Staff Office of the Japanese Navy (JMSDF) announced the program [1] of the joint training, NICHI GOU TRIDENT Exercise, between a Japanese flotilla (small fleet), the RAN and RAAF.
1. Aim: for the Japanese Navy to improves its tactical skills and strengthen its collaboration and interoperability ith the RAN and RAAF.
2. Period: Japanese flotilla active March 15, 2016 – May 28, 2016
3. Place: Sydney and surrounding sea area, including Jervis Bay
4. Contingents
4-1 Commander of Contingents: Captain Masahiko Kawakubo, Commander of the 13th Escort Division
Destroyer JS Umigiri [3] which is a
each of the destroyers has a SH-60J(K) mainly anti-submarine, helicopter and
Soryu submarine JS Hakuryu [SS-503] see photo and Youtube above [4]
Total of 440 personnel.
Pete Comment: the destroyers are roughly the same size and roughly the same age as Australia's Adelaide class frigates
5 Schedule [Sailing dates and destinations]
5-1 Escort fleet of the 2 destroyers.
“Mar/22 Kure (departure)---Mar/27 Apra (arrival)---Mar/29 Apra (departure)---Apr/15 Sydney (arrival)---Apr/26 Sydney (departure)---May/13 Apra (arrival)---May/15 Apra (departure)--- May/19 Katsuren (arrival)”
Soryu submarine JS Hakuryu [SS-503] [4] Movements
March 15 depart Submarine Base at 15 Kure, Japan
March 23 arrives US Naval Base Guam“Apra” (arrival)
[After probably refuelling with diesel] leaves Guam on March 25
April 15 arrives Fleet Base East, Sydney
There will be many NICHI GOU TRIDENT Exercise manoeuvres held off Fleet Base East, Sydney and off Naval Base Jervis Bay to the south of Sydney.
April 26 departs Sydney
May 17 arrives Naval Base Guam “Apra” for visit and [probably refuelling with diesel]
May 19 departs Naval Base Guam
May 28 arrives Katsuren, Okinawa.
6, Content of training - Anti-submarine warfare training, tactical exercise, communication training, PHOTEX etc.
[2] DD-132 Asayui (displacement 3,100tonne) is the 11th Hatsuyuki-class destroyer ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsuyuki-class_destroyer)
[3] DD-158 Umigiri (displacement 3,550tonne) the 8th Asagiri-class destroyer
[4] The 3rd Soryu-class submarine (MHI)
S and Pete