Arihant vs Type 209

Overview

The Arihant and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

The Arihant displaces 6,000 tons — 4.7x the Type 209's 1,285 tons. The Arihant reaches 15 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Arihant vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Arihant carries a crew of 95 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 7,000 tons for the Arihant vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 450 m for the Arihant.

The Arihant was produced in 4 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $470M for the Arihant vs $285M for the Type 209. The Arihant was commissioned in 2016, 45 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Arihant

Indian nuclear-powered submarine, introduced in 2016, displaces 6,000 tons and has a crew of 95.
Origin 🇮🇳 India
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer Ship Building Centre (SBC)
Year introduced 2016
Number built 4 units
Estimated unit price $470 million
View full Arihant details

Type 209

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
View full Type 209 details

Arihant

Displacement 6,000 tons ◉
Maximum speed 15.0 knots ◉
Range Unlimited ◉
Length 111.0 m ◉
Beam 11.0 m ◉
Crew 95 ◉
Max depth 450 m ◉
Propulsion 1 x CLWR-B1 pressurized water reactor (83 MW-100MW), 1 x shaft
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

Type 209

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 Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Arihant-class has greater displacement at 6,000 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Arihant-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Arihant-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Type 209-class has a range of 11,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Arihant-class is longer at 111.0 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Arihant-class and Type 209-class have?
The Arihant-class has a larger crew complement of 95 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Arihant-class's 450 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Arihant-class is more expensive at approximately $470 million per unit compared to the Type 209-class at $285 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Arihant-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 4 vessels of the Arihant-class.

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