Improved Kilo vs Romeo

The Improved Kilo and the Romeo are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,475 tons for the Romeo. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 15 knots for the Romeo. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 9,000 for the Romeo. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 54 for the Romeo. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,830 tons for the Romeo. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 133 for the Romeo. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 23 years after the Romeo (1957).

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
Ex-USSR diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1957, with 133 units built.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard
Year introduced 1957
Number built 133 units
Estimated unit price NA
Displacement 2,325 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 12.0 knots â—‰
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots â—‰
Length 72.6 m â—‰
Beam 9.9 m â—‰
Crew 52 â—‰
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 1,475 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 15.0 knots â—‰
Range 9,000 nm at 9 knots â—‰
Length 76.6 m â—‰
Beam 6.7 m â—‰
Crew 54 â—‰
Max depth NA
Propulsion Two diesels delivering 2.94 MW (4000 shp) with two electric motors driving two shafts.
Armament
  • 8 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes (six bow, two stern)
  • 14 × 533 mm (21 in) anti-ship or anti-submarine torpedoes (including Yu-4 and Yu-1)
  • 28 mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Romeo-class's 1,475 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-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 Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class is longer at 76.6 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Romeo-class have?
The Romeo-class has a larger crew complement of 54 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class has been built in greater numbers with 133 vessels compared to 75 vessels of the Improved Kilo-class.