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Improved Kilo vs Permit

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Specifications
Improved Kilo Permit
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Year introduced 1980 1961
Number built 75 units 14 units
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons 3,810 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 15.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots Unlimited
Length 72.6 m 84.9 m
Beam 9.9 m 9.6 m
Crew 52 112
Max depth 300 m 400 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Improved Kilo Permit
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 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes amidships
  • 12-18 × Mark 37 torpedoes (later Mark 48s)
  • 4-6 × UUM-44 SUBROC anti-submarine missiles
  • 4 × UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship 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 S5W PWR, 2 steam turbines, 15,000 shp (11 MW), 1 shaft

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Permit are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,810 tons for the Permit. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 15 knots for the Permit. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Permit. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 112 for the Permit. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,369 tons for the Permit. The Permit can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 14 for the Permit. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 19 years after the Permit (1961).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Permit-class?
The Permit-class has greater displacement at 3,810 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Permit-class?
The Permit-class is faster with a maximum speed of 15 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Permit-class?
The Permit-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 Permit-class?
The Permit-class is longer at 84.9 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Permit-class have?
The Permit-class has a larger crew complement of 112 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Permit-class?
The Permit-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 Permit-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 14 vessels of the Permit-class.