GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Sang-O vs Sōryū

Sōryū submarine side profile drawing
🇯🇵 Sōryū
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Sang-O Sōryū
Origin 🇰🇵 North Korea 🇯🇵 Japan
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Coastal submarine Attack submarine
Manufacturer Bong Dao Bo Shipyard, Sinpo Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Year introduced 1991 2009
Number built 41 units 12 units
Estimated unit price NA $540 million
Displacement 275 tons 2,900 tons
Maximum speed 7.5 knots 13.0 knots
Range 1,500 nm 6,100 nm at 6 knots
Length 34.0 m 84.0 m
Beam 3.8 m 9.1 m
Crew 15 65
Max depth 150 m NA
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Sang-O Sōryū
Armament
  • 4 × 533 mm torpedo tubes with 53-65KE torpedoes
  • Minelaying capability (up to 16 mines)
  • 6 × HU-606 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • Type 89 torpedo
  • Harpoon (missile)
  • Mines
Propulsion Diesel-electric, 1 diesel engine, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft 1-shaft 2× Kawasaki 12V 25/25 SB-type diesel engines, 4× Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling engines (3,900 hp surfaced, 8,000 hp submerged)

Overview

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

The Sōryū displaces 2,900 tons — 11:1 the Sang-O's 275 tons. The Sang-O reaches 7.5 knots vs 13 knots for the Sōryū. Operational range is 1,500 nautical miles for the Sang-O vs 6,100 for the Sōryū. The Sang-O carries a crew of 15 vs 65 for the Sōryū. Submerged displacement is 370 tons for the Sang-O vs 4,200 tons for the Sōryū.

The Sang-O was produced in 41 units vs 12 for the Sōryū. The Sang-O was commissioned in 1991, 18 years before the Sōryū (2009).

Related Comparisons
Sōryū vs Type 212 Sang-O vs Improved Kilo Sang-O vs Kilo Sang-O vs Type 209 Sang-O vs Los Angeles Sang-O vs Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Sang-O-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class has greater displacement at 2,900 tons compared to the Sang-O-class's 275 tons.
Which is faster, the Sang-O-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class is faster with a maximum speed of 13 knots compared to the Sang-O-class's 7 knots.
Which has longer range, the Sang-O-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class has a longer range at 6,100 nautical miles compared to the Sang-O-class's 1,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Sang-O-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sōryū-class is longer at 84.0 meters compared to the Sang-O-class's 34.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Sang-O-class and Sōryū-class have?
The Sōryū-class has a larger crew complement of 65 compared to the Sang-O-class's 15 crew members.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Sang-O-class or Sōryū-class?
The Sang-O-class has been built in greater numbers with 41 vessels compared to 12 vessels of the Sōryū-class.