Astute vs Improved Kilo

Overview

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).

Astute

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
View full Astute details

Improved Kilo

Russian attack submarine, introduced in 1980, uses diesel-electric propulsion.
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau
Year introduced 1980
Number built 75 units
Estimated unit price $200 million
View full Improved Kilo details

Astute

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
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes

Improved Kilo

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
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 18 torpedoes
  • 4 Kalibr/Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile (some versions)
  • 24 mines
  • 8 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-N-8 Gremlin) or 8 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-N-10 Gimlet) surface-to-air missiles

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.

Related Comparisons

Astute vs Virginia Astute vs Whiskey Astute vs Romeo Astute vs Foxtrot Astute vs Kilo Astute vs Type 209
2025 GlobalMilitary.net • About • Privacy • Terms • Dark theme