Daphné vs Improved Kilo

The Daphné and the Improved Kilo are both Submarine classes. The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 3.3x the Daphné's 700 tons. The Daphné reaches 13 knots vs 12 knots for the Improved Kilo. Operational range is 4,300 nautical miles for the Daphné vs 7,500 for the Improved Kilo. The Daphné carries a crew of 45 vs 52 for the Improved Kilo. Submerged displacement is 1,038 tons for the Daphné vs 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Daphné can dive to 300 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Daphné was produced in 25 units vs 75 for the Improved Kilo. The Daphné was commissioned in 1964, 16 years before the Improved Kilo (1980).

French diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1964, had a crew of 45 sailors.
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Chantiers Dubigeon
Year introduced 1964
Number built 25 units
Estimated unit price NA
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
Displacement 700 tons
Maximum speed 13.0 knots
Range 4,300 nm at 7 knots
Length 57.8 m
Beam 6.8 m
Crew 45
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion 2 shafts, 2 SEMT-Pielstick diesel engines, two 450-kilowatt diesel generator sets, and two electric motors creating 750 kilowatts (1,000 shp) sustained
Armament
  • 12 × 550 mm (22 in) torpedo tubes (8 bow, 4 stern)
  • 12 torpedoes (no reloads)
  • Harpoon anti-ship missiles (Pakistan late 1980s)
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 Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Daphné-class's 700 tons.
Which is faster, the Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Daphné-class is faster with a maximum speed of 13 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Daphné-class's 4,300 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Daphné-class's 57.8 meters.
How many crew members do the Daphné-class and Improved Kilo-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Daphné-class's 45 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Daphné-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Daphné-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 25 vessels of the Daphné-class.