Improved Kilo vs Whiskey

The Improved Kilo and the Whiskey are both Submarine classes. The Improved Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 2.2x the Whiskey's 1,050 tons. The Improved Kilo reaches 12 knots vs 18 knots for the Whiskey. Operational range is 7,500 nautical miles for the Improved Kilo vs 8,580 for the Whiskey. The Improved Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 52 for the Whiskey. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Improved Kilo vs 1,340 tons for the Whiskey. The Improved Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 200 m for the Whiskey. The Improved Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 236 for the Whiskey. The Improved Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 29 years after the Whiskey (1951).

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
Ex-USSR submarine, introduced in 1951, displaced 1,050 tons, and had a crew of 52 sailors.
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Diesel–electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Lazurit Design Bureau
Year introduced 1951
Number built 236 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 1,050 tons
Maximum speed 18.0 knots
Range 8,580 nm at 10 knots
Length 76.0 m
Beam 6.5 m
Crew 52
Max depth 200 m
Propulsion Two-shaft diesel–electric: 2 × 2,000 bhp (1,500 kW) diesel engines, 2 × 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) main electric motors, 2 × 50 hp (37 kW) electric creep motors
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes (4 bow + 2 stern)
  • 12 × torpedoes or 22 × mines
  • 1 × single-mounted 25 mm (1.0 in) AA gun
  • 2 × single-mounted 57 mm (2.2 in) AA gun

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Improved Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Whiskey-class's 1,050 tons.
Which is faster, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Whiskey-class is faster with a maximum speed of 18 knots compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Whiskey-class has a longer range at 8,580 nautical miles compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 7,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Whiskey-class is longer at 76.0 meters compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Improved Kilo-class and Whiskey-class have?
The Whiskey-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Improved Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Improved Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Whiskey-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Improved Kilo-class or Whiskey-class?
The Whiskey-class has been built in greater numbers with 236 vessels compared to 75 vessels of the Improved Kilo-class.