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Improved Kilo vs Narwhal

Improved Kilo vs Narwhal at a glance — displacement 2,325 vs 5,027 tons, length 72 vs 95 m, speed 12 vs 20 knots, crew 52 vs 107.

Specifications
Improved Kilo Narwhal
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau General Dynamics Electric Boat
Year introduced 1980 1969
Number built 75 units 1 unit
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons 5,027 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 20.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots Unlimited
Length 72.6 m 95.9 m
Beam 9.9 m 10.0 m
Crew 52 107
Max depth 300 m 400 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Improved Kilo Narwhal
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
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • SUBROC
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 45 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes
  • Mines
  • Tomahawk missiles
  • Harpoon missiles
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 1 × S5G pressurized water reactor; 1 × steam turbine, 17,000 shp (13,000 kW); 1 shaft
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class has greater displacement at 5,027 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-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 Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class is longer at 95.9 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Narwhal-class have?
The Narwhal-class has a larger crew complement of 107 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-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 Narwhal-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 1 vessels of the Narwhal-class.