Astute vs Improved Kilo
The Astute and the Improved Kilo are both Submarine classes. The Astute displaces 7,400 tons — 3.2x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Astute reaches 10 knots vs 12 knots for the Improved Kilo. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Astute vs 7,500 for the Improved Kilo. The Astute carries a crew of 98 vs 52 for the Improved Kilo. Submerged displacement is 7,800 tons for the Astute vs 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Astute can dive to 300 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Astute was produced in 6 units vs 75 for the Improved Kilo. Cost per hull is $2,112M for the Astute vs $200M for the Improved Kilo. The Astute was commissioned in 2010, 30 years after the Improved Kilo (1980).
| British nuclear-powered submarine, 7,400 tons displacement, entered service in 2010. | |
| Origin | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Nuclear-powered attack submarine |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems Submarines |
| Year introduced | 2010 |
| Number built | 6 units |
| Estimated unit price | $2,112 million |
| Displacement | 7,400 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 10.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 97.0 m ◉ |
| Beam | 11.3 m ◉ |
| Crew | 98 ◉ |
| Max depth | 300 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor; MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators |
| Armament |
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| Displacement | 2,325 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 12.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | 7,500 nm at 7 knots ◉ |
| Length | 72.6 m ◉ |
| Beam | 9.9 m ◉ |
| Crew | 52 ◉ |
| Max depth | 300 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric propulsion; 2 × 1000 kW diesel generators; 1 × 5,500–6,800 shp (4,100–5,100 kW) propulsion motor; 1 × fixed-pitch 6-bladed or 7-bladed propeller |
| Armament |
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Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Astute-class has greater displacement at 7,400 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Astute-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Astute-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Improved Kilo-class has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Astute-class is longer at 97.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Astute-class and Improved Kilo-class have?
The Astute-class has a larger crew complement of 98 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Astute-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Astute-class is more expensive at approximately $2.1 billion per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Astute-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Astute-class.