Improved Kilo vs Thresher

The Improved Kilo and the Thresher are both Submarine classes. Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 3,810 tons for the Thresher. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 15 knots for the Thresher. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Thresher. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 112 for the Thresher. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,369 tons for the Thresher. The Thresher can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 14 for the Thresher. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 19 years after the Thresher (1961).

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
American nuclear submarine, 3,810 tons displacement, propelled by a 15,000 shp S5W reactor.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear submarine
Manufacturer Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Year introduced 1961
Number built 14 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 â—‰
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 3,810 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 15.0 knots â—‰
Range Unlimited â—‰
Length 84.9 m â—‰
Beam 9.6 m â—‰
Crew 112 â—‰
Max depth 400 m â—‰
Propulsion 1 S5W PWR, 2 steam turbines, 15,000 shp (11 MW), 1 shaft
Armament
  • 4 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes amidships
  • 12-18 × Mark 37 torpedoes (later Mark 48s)
  • 4-6 × UUM-44 SUBROC anti-submarine missiles
  • 4 × UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Thresher-class?
The Thresher-class has greater displacement at 3,810 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Thresher-class?
The Thresher-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 Thresher-class?
The Thresher-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 Thresher-class?
The Thresher-class is longer at 84.9 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Thresher-class have?
The Thresher-class has a larger crew complement of 112 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Thresher-class?
The Thresher-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Thresher-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 14 vessels of the Thresher-class.