Well, this idea is nothing new when it comes to submarine warfare; the Germans used "merchant submarines" already during WW1 and had the "Milchkuh" tanker subs in WW2. There were also a number of different supply subs in the IJN. Check out the following:
- D1 type (I-361); transport; 2215t subm., 82t cargo - D2 type (I-372); transport; 2240t subm., 110t cargo + 150t gasoline - Sen-Ho type (I-351); tanker; 4290t subm., 27t cargo + 365t gasoline - Sen-yu-sho type (HA-101); transport; 493t subm., 60t cargo - Maru-Yu type (Yu-1); transport; 370t subm., 40t cargo
The subs big advantage is definitely their invisibility, but their relatively small capacity limits the use. The IJN planned to used them to supply small island garrisons, the I-351 class was intended as seaplane tenders. Modern and bigger subs (e.g. Russian) could carry a lot more cargo and might really be useful in special occasions. Not sure if anything comparable to the WW2 subs is out there today...
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