Akula vs Type 209

The Akula and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes. The Akula displaces 8,140 tons — 6.3x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Akula reaches 10 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Akula vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Akula carries a crew of 73 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 12,770 tons for the Akula vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Akula can dive to 600 m compared to 500 m for the Type 209. The Akula was produced in 15 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $1,550M for the Akula vs $285M for the Type 209. The Akula was commissioned in 1984, 13 years after the Type 209 (1971).

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
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
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 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 64.4 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 36
Max depth 500 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Akula-class has greater displacement at 8,140 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is faster with a maximum speed of 11 knots compared to the Akula-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Akula-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Akula-class is longer at 110.3 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Akula-class and Type 209-class have?
The Akula-class has a larger crew complement of 73 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Akula-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 600 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 500 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Akula-class is more expensive at approximately $1.6 billion per unit compared to the Type 209-class at $285 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Akula-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 15 vessels of the Akula-class.