Improved Kilo vs Kobben

The Improved Kilo and the Kobben are both Submarine classes. The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 5.3x the Kobben's 435 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 10 knots for the Kobben. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 4,200 for the Kobben. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 24 for the Kobben. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 485 tons for the Kobben. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 180 m for the Kobben. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 15 for the Kobben. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 16 years after the Kobben (1964).

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
Norwegian coastal submarine, introduced in 1964, displaced 435 tons, and had a crew of 24.
Origin 🇳🇴 Norway
Category Submarine
Type Coastal submarine
Manufacturer Nordseewerke GmbH
Year introduced 1964
Number built 15 units
Estimated unit price NA
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
Displacement 435 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots
Range 4,200 nm at 8 knots
Length 47.2 m
Beam 4.7 m
Crew 24
Max depth 180 m
Propulsion 2 MTU 1,100 hp (820 kW) diesel engines, 1 1,700 hp (1,300 kW) electric motor
Armament
  • 8 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes
  • T1 / T1 mod 1 torpedoes
  • Mk-37 Mod 1/2 torpedoes
  • TP-612 torpedoes
  • TP-613 torpedoes

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Kobben-class's 435 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Kobben-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Kobben-class's 4,200 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Kobben-class's 47.2 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Kobben-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Kobben-class's 24 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Kobben-class's 180 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Kobben-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 15 vessels of the Kobben-class.