COMMENT
Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) for submarine use is not a Japanese monopoly. Other countries are developing LIBs for submarine, including European, South Korean, US, Russian, Indian and Chinese.
The world LIB development market is very complex with:
- major companies supplying batteries to other companies for resale
- various types of joint ventures between companies, and
- companies developing batteries for civilian uses (eg. cars) that also may decide to break into
the LIBs for submarine market.
Table of Submarine LAB/LIB suppliers
Company | Country | Lead-acid Batteries (LABs) | LIBs |
GS Yuasa | Japan | LABs for Japanese Navy (“JMSDF”) only | Developed |
Toshiba | Japan | None | Developed |
Sunlight Systems | Greece | Major LAB producer | Developing |
Saft | France | LAB producer. | “Investigating” use in Scorpenes |
Kokam | S Korea | ? | Developing |
Arotech | USA | ? | Developing |
EnerSys | USA | Major LAB producer | ? |
Exide Technology | USA | Exide Technology is a major LAB producer that supplies LABs to other battery companies. | ? |
EverExceed | China | Major LAB producer. Listed as supplier to U206, U209, U212, U214, U209P, U210, Scorpène, Agosta, Sauro, Walrus, Kobben, Vastergotland. Eastern type subs: Romeo, Foxtrot, Kilo. “EverExceed” may be related to “EverSpring” (covered in a Submarine Matters article of February 2, 2016). | ? |
HBL Power Systems Ltd. | India | Major LAB producer | ? |
Anonymous located this Business Wire article of September 15, 2016 which is the main source for the information in the Table above:
More detail: EnerSys, EverExceed , Exide Technology, HBL Power Systems Ltd., and Sunlight Systems are the major lead-acid battery [LAB] vendors in the market.
Companies, such as GS Yuasa, Saft, Kokam, Arotech, and Toshiba, are aggressively developing Li-ion batteries [LIB] for submarines and investing in R&D to reduce the cost and match the LAB specifications for the submarines.
The report also states countries, such as Japan, China, and Russia, are focusing on the Li-ion battery technology for the submarines. Russia is also planning to develop Li-ion battery technology for Kalina submarines in collaboration with China.
Anonymous and Pete