Akula vs Type 039

The Akula and the Type 039 are both Submarine classes. The Akula displaces 8,140 tons — 4.8x the Type 039's 1,700 tons. The Akula reaches 10 knots vs 15 knots for the Type 039. The Akula carries a crew of 73 vs 60 for the Type 039. Submerged displacement is 12,770 tons for the Akula vs 2,250 tons for the Type 039. The Akula can dive to 600 m compared to 300 m for the Type 039. The Akula was produced in 15 units vs 13 for the Type 039. The Akula was commissioned in 1984, 14 years before the Type 039 (1998).

Soviet nuclear attack submarine, introduced in 1984, displaces 8,140 tons and has a crew of 73.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear attack submarine
Manufacturer Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Year introduced 1984
Number built 15 units
Estimated unit price $1,550 million
Chinese diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1998, displaces 1,700 tons.
Origin 🇨🇳 China
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Wuhan Shipbuilding
Year introduced 1998
Number built 13 units
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 8,140 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 110.3 m
Beam 13.6 m
Crew 73
Max depth 600 m
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
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
Displacement 1,700 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots
Range NA
Length 74.9 m
Beam 8.4 m
Crew 60
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion diesel-electric, 1 shaft
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 x torpedoes (Yu-4, Yu-6)
  • 36 x naval mines
  • YJ-8 cruise missiles
  • CY-1 ASW missiles

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Akula-class has greater displacement at 8,140 tons compared to the Type 039-class's 1,700 tons.
Which is faster, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Type 039-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Akula-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Akula-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 039-class has a range of 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Akula-class is longer at 110.3 meters compared to the Type 039-class's 74.9 meters.
How many crew members do the Akula-class and Type 039-class have?
The Akula-class has a larger crew complement of 73 compared to the Type 039-class's 60 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Akula-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 600 meters compared to the Type 039-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Akula-class or Type 039-class?
The Akula-class has been built in greater numbers with 15 vessels compared to 13 vessels of the Type 039-class.