Dolphin vs Type 212

Overview

The Dolphin and the Type 212 are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 1,640 tons for the Dolphin vs 1,524 tons for the Type 212. The Dolphin reaches 11 knots vs 12 knots for the Type 212. Operational range is 8,000 nautical miles for the Dolphin vs 8,000 for the Type 212. The Dolphin carries a crew of 45 vs 27 for the Type 212. Submerged displacement is 1,900 tons for the Dolphin vs 1,830 tons for the Type 212. The Dolphin can dive to 350 m compared to 200 m for the Type 212.

The Dolphin was produced in 5 units vs 10 for the Type 212. Cost per hull is $1,000M for the Dolphin vs $450M for the Type 212. The Dolphin was commissioned in 1999, 6 years before the Type 212 (2005).

Israeli diesel-electric submarine, 1,640 tons displacement, utilizes air-independent propulsion in the Dolphin 2 class.
Profile of Dolphin
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
German diesel-electric submarine, entered service in 2005, propelled by a Siemens Permasyn electric motor.
Profile of Type 212
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW)
Year introduced 2005
Number built 10 units
Estimated unit price $450 million
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)
Displacement 1,524 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range 8,000 nm at 8 knots
Length 56.0 m
Beam 6.8 m
Crew 27
Max depth 200 m
Propulsion 1 × MTU 16V 396 marine diesel engine; 9 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells (30–40 kW each) or 2 × HDW/Siemens PEM fuel cells (120 kW each); 1 × Siemens Permasyn electric motor (1700 kW) driving a single seven-bladed skewback propeller
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 13 DM2A4 or Black Shark torpedoes
  • IDAS missiles
  • 24 external naval mines (optional)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Dolphin-class has greater displacement at 1,640 tons compared to the Type 212-class's 1,524 tons.
Which is faster, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 212-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 Type 212-class?
The Type 212-class has a longer range at 8,000 nautical miles compared to the Dolphin-class's 8,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Dolphin-class is longer at 57.3 meters compared to the Type 212-class's 56.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Dolphin-class and Type 212-class have?
The Dolphin-class has a larger crew complement of 45 compared to the Type 212-class's 27 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Dolphin-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 350 meters compared to the Type 212-class's 200 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Dolphin-class is more expensive at approximately $1.0 billion per unit compared to the Type 212-class at $450 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Dolphin-class or Type 212-class?
The Type 212-class has been built in greater numbers with 10 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Dolphin-class.