GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Improved Kilo vs Papa

Improved Kilo vs Papa at a glance — displacement 2,325 vs 5,197 tons, length 72 vs 106 m, speed 12 vs 25 knots, crew 52 vs 82.

Papa submarine side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Papa
Specifications
Improved Kilo Papa
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau Sevmash
Year introduced 1980 1970
Number built 75 units 1 unit
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons 5,197 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 25.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots Unlimited
Length 72.6 m 106.9 m
Beam 9.9 m 11.5 m
Crew 52 82
Max depth 300 m 400 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Improved Kilo Papa
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
  • 10 × SS-N-7 Starbright (P-70) cruise missiles
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) bow torpedo tubes
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 2 × VM-5 nuclear reactors; 2 × shafts; 2 × steam turbines producing 80,000 PS (59,000 kW)
Change comparison vs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Papa-class?
The Papa-class has greater displacement at 5,197 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Papa-class?
The Papa-class is faster with a maximum speed of 25 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Papa-class?
The Papa-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 Papa-class?
The Papa-class is longer at 106.9 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Papa-class have?
The Papa-class has a larger crew complement of 82 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Papa-class?
The Papa-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 Papa-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 1 vessels of the Papa-class.