Dolphin vs Improved Kilo

Israeli diesel-electric submarine, 1,640 tons displacement, utilizes air-independent propulsion in the Dolphin 2 class.
Origin 🇮🇱 Israel
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1999
Number built 5 units
Estimated unit price $1,000 million
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 1,640 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 11.0 knots â—‰
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots â—‰
Length 57.3 m â—‰
Beam 6.8 m â—‰
Crew 45 â—‰
Max depth 350 m â—‰
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp (3,164 kW); Dolphin 2 class: air-independent HDW Fuel Cell System
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes
  • 4 × 650 mm (26 in) diameter torpedo tubes
  • 16 torpedoes and Popeye Turbo submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs)
Displacement 2,325 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 12.0 knots â—‰
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots â—‰
Length 72.6 m â—‰
Beam 9.9 m â—‰
Crew 52 â—‰
Max depth 300 m â—‰
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 Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Dolphin-class's 1,640 tons.
Which is faster, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Dolphin-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Dolphin-class has a longer range at 8,000 nautical miles compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Dolphin-class's 57.3 meters.
How many crew members do the Dolphin-class and Improved Kilo-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Dolphin-class's 45 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Dolphin-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 350 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Dolphin-class is more expensive at approximately $1.0 billion per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Dolphin-class or Improved Kilo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Dolphin-class.