Kilo vs Type 209

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
German diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1971, displaces 1,285 tons.
Origin 🇩🇪 Germany
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarines
Manufacturer Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft
Year introduced 1971
Number built 68 units
Estimated unit price $285 million
Displacement 2,325 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 17.0 knots â—‰
Range 6,000 nm at 7 knots â—‰
Length 72.6 m â—‰
Beam 9.9 m â—‰
Crew 52 â—‰
Max depth 300 m â—‰
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
  • 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
Displacement 1,285 tons â—‰
Maximum speed 11.0 knots â—‰
Range 11,000 nm at 10 knots â—‰
Length 64.4 m â—‰
Beam 6.5 m â—‰
Crew 36 â—‰
Max depth 500 m â—‰
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 6,100 shp (4,500 kW)
Armament
  • 8 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 14 torpedoes
  • UGM-84 Harpoon missiles
  • SeaHake mod 4 torpedoes
  • SUT torpedoes
  • SST torpedoes
  • Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes
  • DM2A3 torpedoes
  • Blackshark torpedoes
  • A184 mod. 3 torpedoes
  • DM2A4 torpedoes
  • Mark 37 torpedoes
  • Mark 48 torpedoes
  • Mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Type 209-class's 1,285 tons.
Which is faster, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 17 knots compared to the Type 209-class's 11 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class has a longer range at 11,000 nautical miles compared to the Kilo-class's 6,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Kilo-class is longer at 72.6 meters compared to the Type 209-class's 64.4 meters.
How many crew members do the Kilo-class and Type 209-class have?
The Kilo-class has a larger crew complement of 52 compared to the Type 209-class's 36 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 500 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 300 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Type 209-class is more expensive at approximately $285 million per unit compared to the Kilo-class at $200 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kilo-class or Type 209-class?
The Kilo-class has been built in greater numbers with 75 vessels compared to 68 vessels of the Type 209-class.