Improved Kilo vs Type 209

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Type 209 are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,285 tons for the Type 209. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 11 knots for the Type 209. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 11,000 for the Type 209. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 36 for the Type 209. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,810 tons for the Type 209. The Type 209 can dive to 500 m compared to 300 m for the Improved Kilo.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 68 for the Type 209. Cost per hull is $200M for the Improved Kilo vs $285M for the Type 209. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 9 years after the Type 209 (1971).

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

Type 209

German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
View full Type 209 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

Type 209

Displacement 1,285 tons ◉
Maximum speed 11.0 knots ◉
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots ◉
Length 64.4 m ◉
Beam 6.5 m ◉
Crew 36 ◉
Max depth 500 m ◉
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Type 209-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is more expensive at approximately $285 million per unit compared to the Improved Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 68 vessels of the Type 209-class.

Related Comparisons

Improved Kilo vs Whiskey Improved Kilo vs Romeo Improved Kilo vs Foxtrot Improved Kilo vs Kilo Improved Kilo vs Los Angeles Improved Kilo vs Victor III
2025 GlobalMilitary.net • About • Privacy • Terms • Dark theme