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Arihant vs Scorpène

Scorpène submarine side profile drawing
🇫🇷 Scorpène
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Specifications
Arihant Scorpène
Origin 🇮🇳 India 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Ship Building Centre (SBC) Naval Group
Year introduced 2016 2005
Number built 4 units 14 units
Estimated unit price $470 million $450 million
Displacement 6,000 tons 1,565 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots 12.0 knots
Range Unlimited 6,500 nm at 8 knots
Length 111.0 m 61.7 m
Beam 11.0 m 6.2 m
Crew 95 31
Max depth 450 m 350 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Arihant Scorpène
Armament
  • 12 x K15 SLBM
  • 4 x K-4 SLBM
  • 24 x K15 SLBM
  • 8 x K-4 SLBM
  • 8 x K-5 SLBM
  • 6 x 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes
  • SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles
  • A3SM (MICA) anti-air missiles
  • 30 mines
Propulsion 1 x CLWR-B1 pressurized water reactor (83 MW-100MW), 1 x shaft Diesel-electric, Batteries, Air-independent propulsion (AIP), MESMA AIP, DRDO PAFC Fuel Cell AIP

Overview

The Arihant and the Scorpène are both Submarine classes.

The Arihant displaces 6,000 tons — 3.8x the Scorpène's 1,565 tons. The Arihant reaches 15 knots vs 12 knots for the Scorpène. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Arihant vs 6,500 for the Scorpène. The Arihant carries a crew of 95 vs 31 for the Scorpène. Submerged displacement is 7,000 tons for the Arihant vs 1,900 tons for the Scorpène. The Arihant can dive to 450 m compared to 350 m for the Scorpène.

The Arihant was produced in 4 units vs 14 for the Scorpène. Cost per hull is $470M for the Arihant vs $450M for the Scorpène. The Arihant was commissioned in 2016, 11 years after the Scorpène (2005).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class has greater displacement at 6,000 tons compared to the Scorpène-class's 1,565 tons.
Which is faster, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Scorpène-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Scorpène-class has a range of 6,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class is longer at 111.0 meters compared to the Scorpène-class's 61.7 meters.
How many crew members do the Arihant-class and Scorpène-class have?
The Arihant-class has a larger crew complement of 95 compared to the Scorpène-class's 31 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 450 meters compared to the Scorpène-class's 350 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Arihant-class is more expensive at approximately $470 million per unit compared to the Scorpène-class at $450 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Arihant-class or Scorpène-class?
The Scorpène-class has been built in greater numbers with 14 vessels compared to 4 vessels of the Arihant-class.