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Improved Kilo vs Sang-O

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Specifications
Improved Kilo Sang-O
Origin 🇷🇺 Russia 🇰🇵 North Korea
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Coastal submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo
Year introduced 1980 1991
Number built 75 units 41 units
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons 275 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots 7.5 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots 1,500 nm
Length 72.6 m 34.0 m
Beam 9.9 m 3.8 m
Crew 52 15
Max depth 300 m 150 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Improved Kilo Sang-O
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 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
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 Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Sang-O are both Submarine classes.

The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 8.5x the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 7.5 knots for the Sang-O. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 1,500 for the Sang-O. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 15 for the Sang-O. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 370 tons for the Sang-O. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 150 m for the Sang-O.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 41 for the Sang-O. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 11 years before the Sang-O (1991).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Sang-O-class's 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Sang-O-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 150 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 41 vessels of the Sang-O-class.