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Improved Kilo vs Type 212CD

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Type 212CD are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 2,500 tons for the Type 212CD. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 20 knots for the Type 212CD. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 30 for the Type 212CD.

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
Designed by Germany and Norway for planned 2029 commissioning, the Type 212CD-class air-independent propulsion attack submarine features a diamond-shaped hull to reduce active sonar detection.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
Year introduced --
Number built NA
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 2,500 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots
Range NA
Length 73.0 m
Beam 10.0 m
Crew 30
Max depth NA
Propulsion Lithium battery, new 4th gen AIP PEM fuel cells (HDW), and 2 MTU 4000 series diesel engines
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • DM2A5 (CHWT) heavyweight torpedoes
  • Seaspider anti-torpedo torpedo
  • IDAS anti-air/anti-light vessel missiles
  • NSM-SL anti-ship missiles (under consideration)
  • 3SM Tyrfing anti-ship missiles (under consideration)
  • IAI BlueWhale UUV (potentially)

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 212CD-class?
The Type 212CD-class has greater displacement at 2,500 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 212CD-class?
The Type 212CD-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 Type 212CD-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Type 212CD-class's 0 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Type 212CD-class?
The Type 212CD-class is longer at 73.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Type 212CD-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Type 212CD-class's 30 crew members.