Kilo vs Romeo

Overview

The Kilo and the Romeo are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 2,325 tons for the Kilo vs 1,475 tons for the Romeo. The Kilo reaches 17 knots vs 15 knots for the Romeo. Operational range is 6,000 nautical miles for the Kilo vs 9,000 for the Romeo. The Kilo carries a crew of 52 vs 54 for the Romeo. Submerged displacement is 3,075 tons for the Kilo vs 1,830 tons for the Romeo.

The Kilo was produced in 75 units vs 133 for the Romeo. The Kilo was commissioned in 1980, 23 years after the Romeo (1957).

Ex-USSR Kilo submarine, introduced in 1980, utilizes diesel-electric propulsion.
Profile of Kilo
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Attack submarine
Manufacturer Rubin Design Bureau
Year introduced 1980
Number built 75 units
Estimated unit price $200 million
Ex-USSR diesel-electric submarine, introduced in 1957, with 133 units built.
Profile of Romeo
Origin 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric submarine
Manufacturer Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard
Year introduced 1957
Number built 133 units
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
  • 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 1,475 tons
Maximum speed 15.0 knots
Range 9,000 nm at 9 knots
Length 76.6 m
Beam 6.7 m
Crew 54
Max depth NA
Propulsion Two diesels delivering 2.94 MW (4000 shp) with two electric motors driving two shafts.
Armament
  • 8 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes (six bow, two stern)
  • 14 × 533 mm (21 in) anti-ship or anti-submarine torpedoes (including Yu-4 and Yu-1)
  • 28 mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Kilo-class has greater displacement at 2,325 tons compared to the Romeo-class's 1,475 tons.
Which is faster, the Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Kilo-class is faster with a maximum speed of 17 knots compared to the Romeo-class's 15 knots.
Which has longer range, the Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Kilo-class's 6,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class is longer at 76.6 meters compared to the Kilo-class's 72.6 meters.
How many crew members do the Kilo-class and Romeo-class have?
The Romeo-class has a larger crew complement of 54 compared to the Kilo-class's 52 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Kilo-class or Romeo-class?
The Romeo-class has been built in greater numbers with 133 vessels compared to 75 vessels of the Kilo-class.