Improved Kilo vs Taigei

The Improved Kilo and the Taigei are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,000 tons for the Taigei. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 13 knots for the Taigei. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 70 for the Taigei. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 4 for the Taigei. Cost per hull is $200M for the Improved Kilo vs $635M for the Taigei. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 42 years before the Taigei (2022).

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 2022, utilizes lithium-ion batteries for propulsion.
Origin 🇯🇵 Japan
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Year introduced 2022
Number built 4 units
Estimated unit price $635 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 3,000 tons
Maximum speed 13.0 knots
Range NA
Length 84.0 m
Beam 9.1 m
Crew 70
Max depth NA
Propulsion lithium-ion batteries, snorkel power generation system
Armament
  • 6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Type 18 torpedo
  • Harpoon (missile)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Taigei-class?
The Taigei-class has greater displacement at 3,000 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Taigei-class?
The Taigei-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 Taigei-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Taigei-class's 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Taigei-class?
The Taigei-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 Taigei-class have?
The Taigei-class has a larger crew complement of 70 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Improved Kilo-class or Taigei-class?
The Taigei-class is more expensive at approximately $635 million per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Taigei-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 4 vessels of the Taigei-class.