GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Dolphin vs Type 209

Dolphin submarine side profile drawing
🇮🇱 Dolphin
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Dolphin Type 209
Origin 🇮🇱 Israel 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1999 1971
Number built 5 units 68 units
Estimated unit price $1,000 million $285 million
Displacement 1,640 tons 1,285 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots 11.0 knots
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots 11,000 nm at 10 knots
Length 57.3 m 64.4 m
Beam 6.8 m 6.5 m
Crew 45 36
Max depth 350 m 500 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Dolphin Type 209
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)
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp (3,164 kW); Dolphin 2 class: air-independent HDW Fuel Cell System Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)

Overview

The Dolphin and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 1,640 tons for the Dolphin vs 1,285 tons for the Type 209. The Dolphin reaches 11 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 8,000 nautical miles for the Dolphin vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Dolphin carries a crew of 45 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 1,900 tons for the Dolphin vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 350 m for the Dolphin.

The Dolphin was produced in 5 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $1,000M for the Dolphin vs $285M for the Type 209. The Dolphin was commissioned in 1999, 28 years after the Type 209 (1971).

Related Comparisons
Dolphin vs Improved Kilo Dolphin vs Kilo Dolphin vs Sang-O Dolphin vs Virginia Dolphin vs Type 039A Dolphin vs Ghadir

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Dolphin-class has greater displacement at 1,640 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is faster with a maximum speed of 11 knots compared to the Dolphin-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Dolphin-class's 8,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is longer at 64.4 meters compared to the Dolphin-class's 57.3 meters.
How many crew members do the Dolphin-class and Type 209-class have?
The Dolphin-class has a larger crew complement of 45 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Dolphin-class's 350 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Dolphin-class is more expensive at approximately $1.0 billion per unit compared to the Type 209-class at $285 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Dolphin-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has been built in greater numbers with 68 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Dolphin-class.