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Astute vs Sang-O

Astute submarine side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Astute
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Specifications
Astute Sang-O
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇰🇵 North Korea
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine Coastal submarine
Manufacturer BAE Systems Submarines Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo
Year introduced 2010 1991
Number built 6 units 41 units
Estimated unit price $2,112 million NA
Displacement 7,400 tons 275 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots 7.5 knots
Range Unlimited 1,500 nm
Length 97.0 m 34.0 m
Beam 11.3 m 3.8 m
Crew 98 15
Max depth 300 m 150 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Astute Sang-O
Armament
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles
  • Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes
  • 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
Propulsion 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 nuclear reactor; MTU 600 kilowatt diesel generators Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft

Overview

The Astute and the Sang-O are both Submarine classes.

The Astute displaces 7,400 tons — 27:1 the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Astute reaches 10 knots vs 7.5 knots for the Sang-O. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Astute vs 1,500 for the Sang-O. The Astute carries a crew of 98 vs 15 for the Sang-O. Submerged displacement is 7,800 tons for the Astute vs 370 tons for the Sang-O. The Astute can dive to 300 m compared to 150 m for the Sang-O.

The Astute was produced in 6 units vs 41 for the Sang-O. The Astute was commissioned in 2010, 19 years after the Sang-O (1991).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Astute-class has greater displacement at 7,400 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Astute-class is faster with a maximum speed of 10 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Astute-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Sang-O-class has a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Astute-class is longer at 97.0 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Astute-class and Sang-O-class have?
The Astute-class has a larger crew complement of 98 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Astute-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 150 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Astute-class or Sang-O-class?
The Sang-O-class has been built in greater numbers with 41 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Astute-class.