Improved Kilo vs Valiant / Churchill

Overview

The Improved Kilo and the Valiant / Churchill are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 4,500 tons for the Valiant / Churchill. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 20 knots for the Valiant / Churchill. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 99,999 for the Valiant / Churchill. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 103 for the Valiant / Churchill. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 5,000 tons for the Valiant / Churchill. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 300 m for the Valiant / Churchill.

The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 2 for the Valiant / Churchill. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 14 years after the Valiant / Churchill (1966).

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
British nuclear submarine, 4,500 tons displacement, propelled by a Rolls-Royce pressurised water reactor.
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear submarine
Manufacturer Vickers Armstrong
Year introduced 1966
Number built 2 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 4,500 tons
Maximum speed 20.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 87.0 m
Beam 10.1 m
Crew 103
Max depth 300 m
Propulsion 1 × Rolls-Royce pressurised water reactor, 2 × steam turbines, 1 shaft
Armament
  • 6 × 21 in (533 mm) bow torpedo tubes
  • 32 × Mark VIII and Tigerfish torpedoes
  • 64 × Mk.5 and Mk.6 mines
  • 26 × torpedoes
  • 6 × UGM-84B Harpoon Anti-ship missiles
  • Stonefish and Sea Urchin mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Valiant / Churchill-class has greater displacement at 4,500 tons compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Valiant / Churchill-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 Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Valiant / Churchill-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 Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Valiant / Churchill-class is longer at 87.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Valiant / Churchill-class have?
The Valiant / Churchill-class has a larger crew complement of 103 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Valiant / Churchill-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Valiant / Churchill-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 2 vessels of the Valiant / Churchill-class.