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Akula vs Sang-O

Akula submarine side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Akula
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Specifications
Akula Sang-O
Origin 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇰🇵 North Korea
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Coastal submarine
Manufacturer Komsomolsk-on-Amur Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo
Year introduced 1984 1991
Number built 15 units 41 units
Estimated unit price $1,550 million NA
Displacement 8,140 tons 275 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots 7.5 knots
Range Unlimited 1,500 nm
Length 110.3 m 34.0 m
Beam 13.6 m 3.8 m
Crew 73 15
Max depth 600 m 150 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Akula Sang-O
Armament
  • 4 x 533 mm torpedo tubes (28 torpedoes)
  • 4 x 650 mm torpedo tubes (12 torpedoes)
  • 1–3 x Igla-M surface-to-air missile launcher
  • Granat cruise missiles
  • Kalibr cruise missiles
  • Type 53 torpedoes
  • RPK-2 missile
  • RPK-6 missile
  • Type 65 torpedoes
  • RPK-7 missile
  • Naval mines
  • 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
Propulsion one 190 MW OK-650B/OK-650M pressurized water nuclear reactor, 1 OK-7 steam turbine 43,000 hp (32 MW), 2 OK-2 Turbo generators producing 2 MW, 1 seven-bladed propeller, 2 OK-300 retractable electric propulsors Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft

Overview

The Akula and the Sang-O are both Submarine classes.

The Akula displaces 8,140 tons — 30:1 the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Akula reaches 10 knots vs 7.5 knots for the Sang-O. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Akula vs 1,500 for the Sang-O. The Akula carries a crew of 73 vs 15 for the Sang-O. Submerged displacement is 12,770 tons for the Akula vs 370 tons for the Sang-O. The Akula can dive to 600 m compared to 150 m for the Sang-O.

The Akula was produced in 15 units vs 41 for the Sang-O. The Akula was commissioned in 1984, 7 years before the Sang-O (1991).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Akula-class has greater displacement at 8,140 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Akula-class is faster with a maximum speed of 10 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Akula-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Sang-O-class has a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Akula-class is longer at 110.3 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Akula-class and Sang-O-class have?
The Akula-class has a larger crew complement of 73 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Akula-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 600 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 150 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Akula-class or Sang-O-class?
The Sang-O-class has been built in greater numbers with 41 vessels compared to 15 vessels of the Akula-class.