Improved Kilo vs Type 205

The Improved Kilo and the Type 205 are both Submarine classes. The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 5.5x the Type 205's 419 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 10 knots for the Type 205. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 3,950 for the Type 205. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 22 for the Type 205. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 455 tons for the Type 205. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 100 m for the Type 205. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 13 for the Type 205. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 18 years after the Type 205 (1962).

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
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1962, displaced 419 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke
Year introduced 1962
Number built 13 units
Estimated unit price NA
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 419 tons
Maximum speed 10.0 knots
Range 3,950 nm at 4 knots
Length 44.3 m
Beam 4.6 m
Crew 22
Max depth 100 m
Propulsion 2 × 440 kW (590 hp) Mercedes-Benz 4-stroke V12 diesel engines each coupled to a BBC generator; 1 × 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) SSW electric motor
Armament
  • 8 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • Torpedoes and naval mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Type 205-class's 419 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 205-class's 10 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Type 205-class's 3,950 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Type 205-class's 44.3 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Type 205-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Type 205-class's 22 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Type 205-class's 100 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 205-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 13 vessels of the Type 205-class.