GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

Kilo vs Sang-O

Kilo submarine side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Kilo
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Kilo Sang-O
Origin 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇰🇵 North Korea
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Attack submarine Coastal submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo
Year introduced 1980 1991
Number built 75 units 41 units
Estimated unit price $200 million NA
Displacement 2,325 tons 275 tons
Maximum speed 17.0 knots 7.5 knots
Range 6,000 nm at 7 knots 1,500 nm
Length 72.6 m 34.0 m
Beam 9.9 m 3.8 m
Crew 52 15
Max depth 300 m 150 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Kilo Sang-O
Armament
  • 6 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 18 torpedoes
  • 4 Kalibr/Club land-attack cruise missile, anti-ship missile and anti-submarine missile
  • 24 mines
  • 8 9K34 Strela-3 (SA-N-8 Gremlin) or 8 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-N-10 Gimlet) surface-to-air missiles
  • 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
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 Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft

Overview

The Kilo and the Sang-O are both Submarine classes.

The Kilo displaces 2,325 tons — 8.5x the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Kilo reaches 17 knots vs 7.5 knots for the Sang-O. Operational range is 6,000 nautical miles for the Kilo vs 1,500 for the Sang-O. The Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 15 for the Sang-O. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Kilo vs 370 tons for the Sang-O. The Kilo can dive to 300 m compared to 150 m for the Sang-O.

The Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 41 for the Sang-O. The Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 11 years before the Sang-O (1991).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 17 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class has a longer range at 6,000 nautical miles compared to the Sang-O-class's 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Kilo-class and Sang-O-class have?
The Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 300 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 150 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kilo-class or Sang-O-class?
The Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 41 vessels of the Sang-O-class.