Improved Kilo vs Swiftsure

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Swiftsure are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,400 tons for the Swiftsure. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 20 knots for the Swiftsure. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Swiftsure. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 116 for the Swiftsure. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,900 tons for the Swiftsure. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 300 m for the Swiftsure.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 6 for the Swiftsure. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 7 years after the Swiftsure (1973).

Improved Kilo

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
View full Improved Kilo details

Swiftsure

British nuclear-powered submarine, 4,400 tons displacement, propelled by shrouded pump-jet propulsors.
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered fleet submarine
Manufacturer Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. (VSEL)
Year introduced 1973
Number built 6 units
Estimated unit price NA
View full Swiftsure details

Improved Kilo

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

Swiftsure

Displacement 4,400 tons ◉
Maximum speed 20.0 knots ◉
Range Unlimited ◉
Length 82.9 m ◉
Beam 9.8 m ◉
Crew 116 ◉
Max depth 300 m ◉
Propulsion Nuclear Reactor, shrouded pump-jet propulsors
Armament
  • 5 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Spearfish torpedoes
  • RN Sub Harpoon missiles
  • Tomahawk missiles

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class has greater displacement at 4,400 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-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 Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class is longer at 82.9 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Swiftsure-class have?
The Swiftsure-class has a larger crew complement of 116 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Swiftsure-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Swiftsure-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Swiftsure-class.

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