Improved Kilo vs Lafayette
The Improved Kilo and the Lafayette are both Submarine classes. The Lafayette displaces 7,443 tons — 3.2x the Improved Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 16 knots for the Lafayette. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Lafayette. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 140 for the Lafayette. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 8,383 tons for the Lafayette. The Lafayette can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 9 for the Lafayette. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 17 years after the Lafayette (1963).
| 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 |
| American submarine, introduced in 1963, displaced 7,443 tons and carried ballistic missiles. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics Electric Boat |
| Year introduced | 1963 |
| Number built | 9 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 |
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| Displacement | 7,443 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 16.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 130.0 m ◉ |
| Beam | 10.0 m ◉ |
| Crew | 140 ◉ |
| Max depth | 400 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | 1 × S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft |
| Armament |
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Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Lafayette-class has greater displacement at 7,443 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Lafayette-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Lafayette-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Improved Kilo-class has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Lafayette-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Lafayette-class have?
The Lafayette-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Lafayette-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Lafayette-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 9 vessels of the Lafayette-class.