Improved Kilo vs Ula

The Improved Kilo and the Ula are both Submarine classes. The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 2.2x the Ula's 1,040 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 11 knots for the Ula. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 5,000 for the Ula. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 21 for the Ula. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,150 tons for the Ula. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 200 m for the Ula. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 6 for the Ula. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 9 years before the Ula (1989).

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

Ula

Norwegian Ula-class submarine, introduced in 1989, uses a silent electric motor for propulsion.
Origin 🇳🇴 Norway
Category Submarine
Type Submarine
Manufacturer Thyssen Nordseewerke
Year introduced 1989
Number built 6 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

Ula

Displacement 1,040 tons
Maximum speed 11.0 knots
Range 5,000 nm at 8 knots
Length 59.0 m
Beam 5.4 m
Crew 21
Max depth 200 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 2 MTU 16V 396 diesel engines (970kW each), 1 propeller, 1 Siemens Permasyn "silent" electric motor 2,200 kW (3,000 hp)
Armament
  • 8 bow 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 14 Atlas Elektronik DM2A3 torpedoes

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Ula-class's 1,040 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 12 knots compared to the Ula-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Ula-class's 5,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Ula-class's 59.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Ula-class have?
The Improved Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Ula-class's 21 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Ula-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Ula-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Ula-class.