Dolphin vs Improved Kilo

Overview

The Dolphin and the Improved Kilo are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 1,640 tons for the Dolphin vs 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Dolphin reaches 11 knots vs 12 knots for the Improved Kilo. Operational range is 8,000 nautical miles for the Dolphin vs 7,500 for the Improved Kilo. The Dolphin carries a crew of 45 vs 52 for the Improved Kilo. Submerged displacement is 1,900 tons for the Dolphin vs 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo. The Dolphin can dive to 350 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo.

The Dolphin was produced in 5 units vs 75 for the Improved Kilo. Cost per hull is $1,000M for the Dolphin vs $200M for the Improved Kilo. The Dolphin was commissioned in 1999, 19 years after the Improved Kilo (1980).

Dolphin

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
View full Dolphin 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

Dolphin

Displacement 1,640 tons ◉
Maximum speed 11.0 knots ◉
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots ◉
Length 57.3 m ◉
Beam 6.8 m ◉
Crew 45 ◉
Max depth 350 m ◉
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)

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 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.

Related Comparisons

Dolphin vs Whiskey Dolphin vs Romeo Dolphin vs Foxtrot Dolphin vs Kilo Dolphin vs Type 209 Dolphin vs Los Angeles
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