The Soukou-Tei was the first vessel of the Army's new Soukou-Tei class (装甲艇, Armored Boat), also known as the AB-Tei class. Designed as a naval landing escort boat, its main role was to provide fire support to Daihatsu-type landing craft and to be transportable by cargo ships like other landing craft. The Sakigake (さきがけ, Pioneer) was the initial prototype of her class completed in 1928, powered by a gasoline engine and armed with two 6.5 mm Type 38 machine guns and one 37 mm "Sniper" gun in tank-like turrets.

It was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy". Its main purpose was to provide coastal landing support and river patrol, so it is not very effective on open waters or against fast torpedo boats. The Sakigake in particular also only comes with early interwar armament that fails to deal any significant damage. A possible tactic for using the Sakigake is to ask fellow captains to tow it through the water, so that it can contribute some extra guns and armour that can withstand some low-tier weapons.