Delta III vs Improved Kilo
The Delta III and the Improved Kilo are both Submarine classes. The Delta III displaces 7,800 tons — 3.4x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Delta III reaches 12 knots vs 12 knots for the Improved Kilo. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Delta III vs 7,500 for the Improved Kilo. The Delta III carries a crew of 120 vs 52 for the Improved Kilo. Submerged displacement is 10,000 tons for the Delta III vs 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Delta III can dive to 320 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Delta III was produced in 18 units vs 75 for the Improved Kilo. The Delta III was commissioned in 1972, 8 years before the Improved Kilo (1980).
| Soviet ballistic missile submarine, 7,800 tons displacement, powered by two nuclear reactors. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine |
| Manufacturer | Komsomolsk-on-Amur |
| Year introduced | 1972 |
| Number built | 18 units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Displacement | 7,800 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 12.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 139.0 m ◉ |
| Beam | 12.0 m ◉ |
| Crew | 120 ◉ |
| Max depth | 320 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | 2 pressurized water-cooled reactors powering 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts and each developing 38.7 MW (51,900 shp) |
| Armament |
|
| 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 |
|
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Delta III-class has greater displacement at 7,800 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Delta III-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Delta III-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Improved Kilo-class has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Delta III-class is longer at 139.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Delta III-class and Improved Kilo-class have?
The Delta III-class has a larger crew complement of 120 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Delta III-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 320 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Delta III-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 18 vessels of the Delta III-class.