Kilo vs Narwhal
The Kilo and the Narwhal are both Submarine classes. The Narwhal displaces 5,027 tons — 2.2x the Kilo's 2,325 tons. The Kilo reaches 17 knots vs 20 knots for the Narwhal. Operational range is 6,000 nautical miles for the Kilo vs 99,999 for the Narwhal. The Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 107 for the Narwhal. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Kilo vs 5,378 tons for the Narwhal. The Narwhal can dive to 400 m compared to 300 m for the Kilo. The Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 1 for the Narwhal. The Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 11 years after the Narwhal (1969).
| Ex-USSR Kilo submarine, introduced in 1980, utilizes diesel-electric propulsion. | |
| Origin | 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Attack submarine |
| Manufacturer | Rubin Design Bureau |
| Year introduced | 1980 |
| Number built | 75 units |
| Estimated unit price | $200 million |
| American nuclear submarine, 1969 introduction year, powered by an S5G pressurized water reactor. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Submarine |
| Type | Nuclear submarine |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics Electric Boat |
| Year introduced | 1969 |
| Number built | 1 unit |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Displacement | 2,325 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 17.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | 6,000 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 propulsion motor, 1 × fixed-pitch 6-bladed or 7-bladed propeller |
| Armament |
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| Displacement | 5,027 tons ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 20.0 knots ◉ |
| Range | Unlimited ◉ |
| Length | 95.9 m ◉ |
| Beam | 10.0 m ◉ |
| Crew | 107 ◉ |
| Max depth | 400 m ◉ |
| Propulsion | 1 × S5G pressurized water reactor; 1 × steam turbine, 17,000 shp (13,000 kW); 1 shaft |
| Armament |
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Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has greater displacement, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class has greater displacement at 5,027 tons compared to the Kilo-class's 2,325 tons.
Which is faster, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class is faster with a maximum speed of 20 knots compared to the Kilo-class's 17 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Kilo-class has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class is longer at 95.9 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Kilo-class and Narwhal-class have?
The Narwhal-class has a larger crew complement of 107 compared to the Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Narwhal-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kilo-class or Narwhal-class?
The Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 1 vessels of the Narwhal-class.