Improved Kilo vs Sōryū

The Improved Kilo and the Sōryū are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 2,900 tons for the Sōryū. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 13 knots for the Sōryū. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 6,100 for the Sōryū. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 65 for the Sōryū. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,200 tons for the Sōryū. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 12 for the Sōryū. Cost per hull is $200M for the Improved Kilo vs $540M for the Sōryū. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 29 years before the Sōryū (2009).

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
Japanese attack submarine, introduced in 2009, displaces 2,900 tons.
Origin 🇯🇵 Japan
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Year introduced 2009
Number built 12 units
Estimated unit price $540 million
Displacement 2,325 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 7 knots
Length 72.6 m
Beam 9.9 m
Crew 52
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 2,900 tons
Maximum speed 13.0 knots
Range 6,100 nm at 6 knots
Length 84.0 m
Beam 9.1 m
Crew 65
Max depth NA
Propulsion 1-shaft 2× Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB-type diesel engines, 4× Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling engines (3,900 hp surfaced, 8,000 hp submerged)
Armament
  • 6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Type 89 torpedo
  • Harpoon (missile)
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class has greater displacement at 2,900 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class is faster with a maximum speed of 13 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Sōryū-class's 6,100 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class is longer at 84.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Sōryū-class have?
The Sōryū-class has a larger crew complement of 65 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class is more expensive at approximately $540 million per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Sōryū-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Sōryū-class.